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THE 


HENR 


BY 


HENRY  WADSWORTH    LONGFELLOW 


CAMBRIDGE 

^xinm  at  tl)e  Httersfioe  ^m& 

1886 


EVANGELINE 
THE    SONG    OF    HIAWATHA 

THE  COURTSHIP  OF  MILES 
STANDISH 


1  ^  S  (^ 


18  0877 


Copyright,  1847,  1855,  1868,  and  1867, 
Bl  HENRY  WADSWORTII  LONQEELLOW. 

Copyright,  1883  and  1886, 
By  ERNEST  W.  LONGFELLOW. 

All  rights  reserved. 

Copyright,  1886, 
By  HOUGHTON,  MIFFLIN  &  CO. 


\ 


M'at  l^untiwU  Copied  l^rinttH 


M.. 


CONTENTS 


EVANGELINE:  A  TALE  OF  ACADIE.  paob 

Introductory  Note 7 

Evangeline 19 

THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA. 

Introductory  Note IO7 

Introduction 113 

I.   The  Pb ace-Pipe 116 

II.   The  Four  Winds 122 

III.  Hiawatha's  Childhood 131 

IV.  Hiawatha  and  Mudjekeewis         .        .        .      138 
V.  Hiawatha's  Fasting 148 

VI.  Hiawatha's  Friends I57 

VII.   Hiawatha's  Sailing 162 

VIII.   Hiawatha's  Fishing 167 

IX.   Hiawatha  and  the  Pearl-Feather        .        .  174 

X.   Hiawatha's  Wooing 183 

XI.  Hiawatha's  Wedding-Feast      .        .        .        .192 
XII.  The  Son  of  the  Evening  Stab    .        .        .      200 

XIII.  Blessing  the  Cornfields 2II 

XIV.  Picture-Writinq 218 

XV.  Hiawatha's  Lamentation 224 

XVI.   Pau-Puk-Keewis 231 

XVII.   The  Hunting  of  Pau-Puk-Keewis  .        .        .  239 
XVHI.   The  Death  of  Kwasind         ....      250 

XIX.   The  Ghosts 254 

XX.   The  Fabune 261 

XXI.   The  White  Man's  Foot 266 

XXII.  Hiawatha's  Departure         ....      274 


6 


CONTENTS 


THE  COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH 
Inthoductoby  Note   .... 
I.   Miles  Standish    .... 
II.   Love  and  Fuiendship    . 
HI.   The  Lover's  Ekkanp  . 

IV.  John  Alden 

V.   The  Sailing  of  the  Mayflower 

VI.   Priscula 

VII.   The  March  of  Miles  Standish 
VIII.   The  Spinnino-Wheel     . 

IX.   The  Weddino-Day 
NOTES        


283 
285 
200 
206 
806 
315 
324 
330 
330 
343 
349 


!  t 


EVANGELINE 


INTRODUCTORY  NOTE. 

In  Hawthorne's  American  Note-Boohs  is  the 
following  passage :  — 

"  H.  L.  C.  heard  from  a  French  Canadian  a 
story  of  a  young  couple  in  Acadie.  On  their  mar- 
riage-day all  the  men  of  the  Province  were  sum- 
moned to  assemble  in  the  church  to  hear  a  procla- 
mation. When  assembled,  they  were  all  seized 
and  shipped  off  to  be  distributed  through  New 
England,  —  among  them  the  new  bridegroom. 
His  bride  set  off  in  search  of  him  —  wandered 
about  New  England  all  her  life-time,  and  at  last 
when  she  was  old,  she  found  her  bridegroom  on  his 
death-bed.  The  shock  was  so  great  that  it  killed 
her  likewise." 

This  is  the  story,  as  set  down  by  the  romancer, 
which  his  friend,  the  Rev.  H.  L.  Conolly,  had 
heard  from  a  parishioner.  Mr.  ConoUy  saw  in 
it  a  fine  theme  for  a  romance,  but  for  some  rea- 
son Hawthorne  was  disinclined  to  undertake  it. 
One  day  the  two  were  dining  with  Mr.  Longfel- 
low, and  Mr.  Conolly  told  the  story  again  and 
wondered  that  Hawthorne  did  not  care  for  it. 
"  If  you  really  do  not  want  this  incident  for  a 
tale,"  said  Mr.  Longfellow  to  his  friend,  "  let  me 
have  it  for  a  poem."     Just  when  the  conversation 


8 


EVANGELINE 


took  place  wo  cannot  say,  but  the  poem  was  begun 
apparently  just  after  the  comi)letion  of  the  volume, 
The  Belfry  of  Bruges  and  other  Poems.  The 
narrative  of  its  development  can  best  be  told  by 
the  passages  in  Mr.  Longfellow's  diary  which  note 
the  progress  of  the  poem. 

November  28,  1845.  Set  about  Gahrielle,  my  idyll 
in  liexameters,  in  earnest.  I  do  not  mean  to  let  a  day 
go  by  without  adding  something  to  it,  if  it  be  but  a  sin- 
gle line.  F.  and  Sumner  are  both  doubtful  of  the  meas- 
ure.    To  me  it  seems  the  only  one  for  such  a  poem. 

November  30.  In  the  night,  rain,  rain,  rain.  A 
pleasant  sound.     Lying  awake  I  mused  thus :  — 

Fleasaiit  it  is  to  hear  the  sound  of  the  rattling  rain  upon  the 
roof, 

Ceaselessly  falling  through  the  night  from  the  clouds  that 
pass  so  far  aloof  ; 

Pleasant  it  is  to  hear  the  sound  of  the  village  clock  that 
strikes  the  hour, 

Dropping  its  notes  like  drops  of  rain  from  the  darksome  bel- 
fry in  the  tower. 

December  7.  I  know  not  what  name  to  give  to  — 
not  my  new  baby,  but  xny  new  poem.  Shall  it  be  Gay 
briellc,  or  Celestine,  or  Evangeline  ? 

January  8,  1846.  Striving,  but  alas,  how  vainly  !  to 
work  upon  Evangeline.  One  interruption  after  another, 
till  I  long  to  fly  to  the  desert  for  a  season. 

January  12.  The  vacation  is  at  hand.  I  hope  be- 
fore its  close  to  get  far  on  in  Evangeline.  Two  cantos 
are  now  done  ;  which  is  a  good  beginning. 

April  5.  After  a  month's  cessation  resumed  Evan- 
geline,  —  the  sister  of  mercy.  I  hope  now  to  carry  it 
on  to  its  close  without  break. 

May  20.  Tried  to  work  at  Evangeline,  Unsuccess- 
ful.   Gave  it  up. 


INTRODUCTORY  NOTE 


9 


May  25.  The  days  die  and  make  no  sign.  The 
Castalian  fount  is  still.  It  has  become  a  pool  which  no 
descending  angel  troubles. 

Julj-  9.  Idly  busy  days  ;  days  which  leave  no  record 
in  verse  ;  no  advance  made  in  my  long-neglected  yet 
dearly  loved  Evangeline.  The  cares  of  the  world  choke 
the  good  seed.     But  these  stones  7nust  be  cleared  away. 

October  11.  I  am  in  despair  at  the  swift  flight  of 
time,  and  the  utter  impossibility  I  feel  to  lay  hold  ujjon 
anything  permanent.  All  my  hours  and  days  go  to 
perishable  things.  Col'ege  takes  half  the  time ;  and 
other  people,  with  their  interminable  letters  and  poems 
and  requests  and  demands,  take  the  rest.  I  have  hardly 
a  moment  to  think  of  my  own  writings,  and  am  cheated 
of  some  of  life's  fairest  hours.  This  is  the  extreme  of 
folly ;  and  if  I  knew  a  man,  far  olf  in  some  foreign 
land,  doing  as  I  do  here,  I  should  say  ho  was  mad. 

November  17.  I  said  as  I  dressed  myself  this  morn- 
ing, " To-day  at  least  I  will  work  on  Evangeline"  But 
no  sooner  had  I  breakfasted  than  there  came  a  note 

from ,  to  be  answered  forthwith ;  then ,  to  talk 

about  a  doctor  ;  then  Mr.  Bates,  to  put  up  a  fireplace  ; 
then  this  journal,  to  be  written  for  a  week.  And  now 
it  is  past  eleven  o'clock,  and  the  sun  shines  so  brightly 
upon  my  desk  and  papers  that  I  can  write  no  more. 

December  10.  Laid  up  with  a  cold.  Moped  and 
mowed  the  day  through.  Made  an  effort,  however,  and 
commenced  the  second  part  of  Evangeline.  I  felt  all 
day  wretched  enough  to  give  it  the  sombre  tone  of  col- 
oring that  belongs  to  the  theme. 

December  15.  Stayed  at  home,  working  a  little  on 
Evangeline  ;  planning  out  the  second  part,  which  fasci- 
nates me,  —  if  I  can  but  give  complete  tone  and  expres- 
sion to  it.  Of  materials  for  this  part  there  is  super- 
abundance. The  difficulty  is  to  select,  and  give  unity 
to  variety. 


U\ 


10 


EVANCEUNE 


w 


fl 


Decnmbcr  17.  FiniHhod  this  morning,  and  copied, 
the  first  canto  of  tho  H<'(!ond  i)art  of  Kmngellne.  The 
portions  of  tho  poem  which  I  write  in  tho  morning,  I 
write  chiefly  standing  at  my  desk  here  [hy  tlie  window], 
BO  as  to  need  no  copying.  What  I  write  at  other  times 
is  scrawled  with  a  jjencil  on  my  knee  in  the  dark,  and 
has  to  he  written  out  afterward.  This  way  of  writing 
with  a  pencil  and  portfolio  I  enjoy  much  ;  as  I  can  sit 
by  tho  fireside  ind  do  not  use  my  eyes.  I  see  a  dio- 
rama of  the  jMississippi  advertised.  This  comes  very 
a  propos.  The  river  comes  to  me  instead  of  my  going 
to  the  river  ;  and  as  it  is  to  flow  through  the  pages  of 
the  poem,  I  look  upon  this  as  a  special  benediction. 

December  19.  Went  to  see  Banvard's  moving  dio- 
rama of  tho  Mississippi.  One  seems  to  be  sailing  down 
the  great  stream,  and  sees  the  boats  and  the  sand-banks 
crested  with  cottonwood,  and  the  bayous  by  moonlight. 
Three  miles  of  canvas,  and  a  great  deal  of  merit. 

December  29.  I  hoped  to  do  much  on  my  poem 
to-day ;  and  did  nothing.  My  whole  morning  was  taken 
up  with  letters  and  doing  up  New  Year's  gifts. 

January  7,  1847.  Went  to  the  Library  and  got 
Watson's  Annals  of  Philadelphia  and  the  Historical 
Collections  of  Pennsylvania.  Also  Darby's  Geograph- 
ical Description  of  Louisiana.  These  books  must  help 
me  through  the  last  part  of  Evangeline,  so  far  as  facts 
and  local  coloring  go.  But  for  the  form  and  the  po- 
etry, —  they  must  come  from  my  own  brain. 

January  14.  Finished  the  last  canto  of  Evangeline. 
But  the  poem  is  not  finished.  There  are  three  inter- 
mediate cantos  to  be  written. 

January  18.  Billings  came  to  hear  some  passages 
in  Evangeline,  previous  to  making  designs.  As  I  read, 
I  grew  discouraged.  Alas,  how  difficult  it  is  to  produce 
anything  really  good !      Now  I   see  nothing  but   the 


t  ' 


INTRODUCTORY  NOTE 


11 


defects  of  my  work.  I  liopo  the  oritics  will  not  find 
flo  many  a»  1  do.  But  onward  I  The  poem,  like  lovo, 
must  "  julvaneo  or  die." 

January  22.  Wrote  in  Emnr}dine.  Then  walked 
a  couple  of  hours.  After  dinner,  a  couple  more.  In 
the  evening,  the  whiHt  cluh. 

.lanuary  23.  Mornin<j;  as  yesterday,  —  sitting  hy  the 
fire  in  a  darkened  room,  writing  with  a  pencil  in  my 
portfolio,  without  the  use  of  eyes. 

January  2C.  Finished  second  canto  of  Part  II.  of 
Evatifjelhie. 

February  1.  During  the  day  worked  busily  and 
pleasantly  on  Evangeline,  —  canto  third  of  Part  II.  It 
is  nearly  fmished. 

February  2.  Shrouded  in  a  cold,  which  covers  me 
like  a  monk's  hood.  I  am  confident  it  is  often  sheer 
laziness,  when  a  poet  refrains  from  writing  because  he 
is  not  "  in  the  mood."  Until  he  begins  he  can  hardly 
know  whether  he  is  in  the  mood  or  not.  It  is  reluctance 
to  the  manual  labor  of  recording  one's  thoughts ;  per- 
ha])3  to  the  mental  labor  of  setting  them  in  due  order. 

February  17.  Find  the  ground  covered  with  snow, 
to  my  sorrow  ;  for  what  comes  as  snow  departs  as  mud. 
Wrote  description  of  the  prairies  for  Evanr/eline. 

February  23.  Evangeline  is  nearly  finished.  I 
shall  complete  it  this  week,  together  with  my  fortieth 
year. 

February  27.  Evangeline  is  ended.  I  wrote  the 
last  lines  this  morning. 

February  28.  The  last  day  of  February.  Waded 
to  church  through  snow  and  water  ankle-deep.  The 
remainder  of  the  day,  was  warmly  housed,  save  a  walk 
on  the  piazza.  When  evening  came,  I  really  missed 
the  poem  and  the  pencil. 

March  6.      A  lovely  spring  morning.      I  began  to 


i    ill! 


12 


EVANGELINE 


revise  and  correct  Evangeline  for  the  press.  Went 
carefully  over  tiie  first  canto. 

April  3.  The  first  canto  of  Evangeline  in  proofs. 
Some  of  the  lines  need  pounding  ;  nails  are  to  be  driven 
and  clenched.  On  the  whole  I  am  pretty  well  satisfied. 
Fields  came  out  in  the  afternoon.  I  told  him  of  the 
poem,  and  he  wants  to  publish  it. 

April  9.     Proof-sheets   of  Evangeline  all  tattooed 


with   Folsom's^  marks, 
much  the  better. 


How  severe  he  is !     But  so 


Evangeline  was  published  October  30,  1847, 
and  Hawthorne,  who  had  taken  a  lively  interest  in 
the  poem,  wrote  a  few  days  after,  to  say  that  he 
had  read  it  "  with  more  pleasure  than  it  would  be 
decorous  to  express."  Mr.  Longfellow,  in  reply- 
ing, thanked  him  for  a  friendly  notice  which  he 
had  written  for  a  Salem  paper,  and  add-^d :  "  Still 
more  do  I  thank  you  for  resigning  I;o  me  that 
legend  of  Acady.  This  success  I  owe  entirely  to 
you,  for  being  willing  to  forego  the  pleasure  of 
writing  a  prose  tale  which  many  people  would 
have  taken  for  poetry,  that  I  might  write  a  poem 
which  many  people  take  for  prose." 

The  notes  which  we  have  taken  from  Mr.  Long- 
fellow's diary  intimate,  in  a  degree,  the  method  of 
his  preparation  for  writing  the  poem.  He  was  not 
writing  a  history,  nor  a  book  of  travels.  He  drew 
upon  the  nearest,  most  accessible  materials,  which 
at  that  time  were  to  be  found  in  Haliburton's 
An  Historical  and  Statistical  Account  of  Nova 
Scotia,  with  its  liberal  quotations  from  the  Abb^ 

^  Hia  friend,  Mr.  Charles  Folsom,  was  then  proof-reador  at  the 
printing-o£Eice  where  the  book  was  set  up. 


INTRODUCTORY  NOTE 


13 


Went 


I 
I 


Raynal's  emotional  account  of  the  French  settlers. 
He  may  have  examined  Winslow'a  narrative  of  the 
expedition  under  his  command,  in  the  cabinet  of 
the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  not  then 
printed,  but  since  that  time  made  easily  accessible. 
He  did  not  visit  Grand-Pr6  nor  the  Mississippi 
but  trusted  to  descriptions  and  Banvard's  ulo- 
At  the  time  of  the  publication  of  Evange- 


rama. 


line  the  actual  history  of  the  deportation  of  the 
Acadians  had  scarcely  been  investigated.  It  is 
not  too  much  to  say  that  this  tale  was  itself  the 
cause  of  the  frequent  studies  since  made,  studies 
which  have  resulted  in  a  revision  of  the  accepted 
rendering  of  the  facts.  The  publication  by  the 
government  of  Nova  Scotia  in  1869  of  Selections 
from  the  Public  Documents  of  the  Province  of 
Nova  Scotia,  edited  by  Thomas  B.  Akins,  D.  C.  L., 
Commissioner  of  Public  Records,  threw  a  great 
deal  of  light  on  the  relations  of  the  French  and 
English ;  A  History  of  Nova  Scotia,  or  Acadie,  by 
Beamish  Murdock,  published  in  1866,  and  ITie 
History  of  Acadia  from  the  First  Discovery  to  its 
Surrender  to  England  hy  the  treaty  of  Paris,  by 
James  Hannay,  published  in  1879,  furnish  oppor- 
tunities for  an  examination  of  the  subject,  and  re- 
cently the  work  by  Dr.  Francis  Parkman  on  Mont- 
calm and  Wolfe  gives  special  attention  to  the  ex- 
pulsion of  the  Acadians.  Dr.  "^v.  J.  Anderson 
published  a  paper  in  the  Transactions  of  the  Lit- 
erary and  Historical  Society  of  Quebec,  New  Se- 
ries, part  7, 1870,  entitled  Evangeline  and  the  Ar- 
chives of  Nova  Scotia,  in  which  he  examines  the 
poem  in  the  light  of  Mr.  Akins's  work,  finding. 


i    m< 


14 


EVANGELINE 


tl 


V- 


after  all,  a  substantial  agreement  between  the  poem 
and  the  documents. 

Mr.  Longfellow  gave  to  a  Philadelphia  journal- 
ist a  reminiscence  of  his  first  notice  of  the  material 
which  was  used  in  the  conclusion  of  the  poem. 
"  I  was  passing  down  Spruce  Street  one  day  to- 
ward my  hotel,  after  a  walk,  when  my  attention 
was  attracted  to  a  large  building  with  beautiful 
trees  about  it,  inside  of  a  high  enclosure.^  I  walked 
along  until  I  came  to  the  great  gate,  and  then 
stepped  inside,  and  looked  carefully  over  the  place. 
The  charming  picture  of  lawn,  flower-beds  and 
shade  which  it  presented  made  an  impression 
which  has  never  left  me,  and  when  I  came  to  write 
Evangeline  I  placed  the  final  scene,  the  meeting 
between  Evangeline  and  Gabriel,  and  the  death, 
at  the  poor-house,  and  the  burial  in  an  old  Catho- 
lic grave-yard  not  far  away,  which  I  found  by 
chance  in  another  of  my  walks." 

It  will  have  been  noticed  that  Mr.  Longfellow 
from  the  outset  had  no  hesitation  in  the  choice  of 
a  metre.  He  had  before  experimented  in  it  in  his 
translation  of  27ie  Cu'Jdren  of  the  Lord's  Supper^ 
and  in  his  lines  To  the  Driving  Cloud.  While 
engaged  upon  Evangeline  he  chanced  upon  a  spe- 
cimen in  Blackwood  of  a  hexameter  translation  of 
the  Iliad,  and  expressed  himself  very  emphatically 
on  its  fitness.  "  Took  down  Chapman's  Horner^'' 
he  writes  later,  "  and  read  the  second  book. 
Rough  enough  ;  and  though  better  than  Pope,  how 
inferior  to  the  books  in  hexameter  in  Blackwood  ! 
The  English  world  is  not  yet  awake  to  the  beauty 

^  The  Pennsylvania  Hospital. 


INTRODUCTORY  NOTE 


16 


>» 


of  that  metre."  After  his  poem  was  published,  he 
wrote  :  "  The  public  takes  more  kindly  to  hexame- 
ters than  I  could  have  imagined,"  and  referring  to 
a  criticism  on  Evangeline  by  Mr.  Felton,  in  which 
the  metre  was  considered,  he  said :  "  I  am  more 
than  ever  glad  that  I  chose  this  metre  for  my 
poem."  Again  he  notes  in  his  diary :  "  Talked 
with  Theophilus  Parsons  about  English  hexame- 
ters ;  and  '  almost  persuaded  him  to  be  a  Chris- 
tian.' "  While  his  mind  was  thus  dwelling  on  the 
subject,  he  fell  into  the  measure  in  his  journal  en- 
tries, and  in  these  lines  under  date  of  December 
18,  1847. 

Soft  through  the  silent  air  descend  the  feathery  snow-flakes  ; 
White  are  the  distant  hills,  white  are  the  neighboring  fields  ; 
Only  the  marshes  are  brown,  and  the  river  rolling  among  them 
Weareth  the  leaden  hue  seen  in  the  eyes  of  the  blind. 

Especially  interesting  is  the  experiment  which 
he  made,  while  in  the  process  of  his  work,  in  an- 
other metre.  "  Finished  second  canto  of  Part  II. 
of  Evangeline.  I  then  tried  a  passage  of  it  in  the 
common  rhymed  English  pentameter.  It  is  the 
song  of  the  mocking-bird  :  — 

Upon  a  spray  that  overhung  the  stream. 
The  mocking-bird,  awaking  from  his  dream. 
Poured  such  delirious  music  from  his  throat 
That  all  the  air  seemed  listening  to  his  note. 
Plaintive  at  first  the  song  began,  and  slow  ; 
It  breathed  of  sadness,  and  of  pain  and  woe  ; 
Then,  gathering  all  his  notes,  abroad  he  flung 
The  multitudinous  music  from  his  tongue,  — 
As,  after  showers,  a  sudden  gust  again 
Upon  the  leaves  shakes  down  the  rattling  rain." 

As  the  story  of  Evangeline  was  the  incentive  to 
historical  inquiry,  so  the  successful  use  of  the  hex- 


■•I 


i  ^ 


10 


EVANGELINE 


P 


ameter  had  much  to  do  both  with  the  revival  of 
the  measure  and  with  a  critical  discussion  upon  its 
value.  Arthur  Hugh  Clough  employed  the  metre 
in  his  pastoral  poem,  T7ie  Bothie  of  Toper-na- 
Vuolich,  and  wrote  to  Mr.  Emerson :  "  Will  you 
convey  to  Mr.  Longfellow  the  fact  that  it  was  a 
reading  of  his  Evangeline  aloud  to  my  mother  and 
sister,  which,  coming  after  a  reperusal  of  the  Iliad, 
occasioned  this  outbreak  of  hexameters  ?  " 

The  reader  wiU  find  the  subject  of  hexameters 
discussed  by  Matthew  Arnold  in  his  lectures  On 
Translating  Homer  ;  by  James  Spedding  in  Eng- 
lish Hexameters^  in  his  volume  Reviews  and  Dis- 
cussions, Literary,  Political  and  Historical,  not 
relating  to  Bacon  ;  and  by  John  Stuart  Blackie  in 
Remarks  on  English  Hexameters  contained  in  his 
volume  Horm  Hellenicce. 

"  Of  the  longer  poems  of  our  chief  singer," 
says  Dr.  Holmes,  "  I  should  not  hesitate  to  select 
Evangeline  as  the  masterpiece,  and  I  think  the 
general  verdict  of  opinion  would  confirm  my  choice. 
The  German  model  which  it  follows  in  its  measure 
and  the  character  of  its  story  was  itself  suggested 
by  an  earlier  idyl.  If  Dorothea  was  the  mother 
of  Evangeline,  Luise  was  the  mother  of  Dorothea. 
And  what  a  beautiful  creation  is  the  Acadian 
maiden !  From  the  first  line  of  the  poem,  from 
its  first  words,  we  read  as  we  would  float  down  a 
broad  and  placid  river,  murmuring  softly  against 
its  banks,  heaven  over  it,  and  the  glory  of  the  un- 
spoiled wilderness  all  around,  — 

This  is  the  forest  primeTal. 


I 


i 


INTRODUCTORY  NOTE 
The  words  are  already  as  familiar  as 


17 


or 


Arma  Tirumqne  oano. 


The  hexameter  has  been  often  criticised,  but  I  do 
not  believe  any  other  measure  could  have  told  that 
lovely  story  with  such  effect,  as  we  feel  when  car- 
ried along  the  tranquil  current  of  these  brimming, 
slow-moving,  soul-satisfying  lines.  Imagine  for 
one  moment  a  story  like  this  minced  into  octo- 
syllabics. The  poet  knows  better  than  his  critics 
the  length  of  step  which  best  befits  his  muse." 

The  publication  of  Evangeline  doubtless  marks 
the  period  of  Mr.  Longfellow's  greatest  accession 
of  fame,  as  it  probably  is  the  poem  which  the  ma- 
jority of  readers  would  first  name  if  called  upon  to 
indicate  the  poet's  most  commanding  work.  It 
was  finished,  as  we  have  seen,  upon  his  fortieth 
birthday.  Two  days  before,  the  following  lines 
were  written  by  Mr.  Longfellow  in  his  diary  :  — 

EPIGRAMftlE 

Par  un  ci-devant  jeune  homme,  en  approchant  de  la  quarantaine. 

"  Sous  le  firmament 
Tout  n'est  que  changement, 

Tout  passe  ;  ' ' 
Le  cantique  le  dit, 
II  est  ainsi  dcrit, 
II  est  sans  contredit, 
Tout  passe. 

O  douce  vie  humaine  ! 

O  temps  qui  nous  entraiue ! 


1 


18 


M 


EVANGELINE 

Destin^e  souveraino ! 

Tout  chanjs^e. 
Moi  qui,  po^te  r§veur, 
Ne  f  us  jamais  f  riseur, 
Je  frise,  —  oh,  quelle  horreurl 

La  quarantaine ! 


This  is  t 
ai 

Bearded 
til 

Stand  lik 

Stand  lik 
th 

Loud  f roi 
bo 

Speaks,  a 
wa 


This  is 

he 
Leaped  li! 

lai 
Where  is 

Ac 
Men  whos 

the 
Darkened 

imi 
Waste  ar( 

for 


EVANGELINE 


A  TALE  OF  ACADIE. 


This  is  the  forest  primeval.  The  murmuring  pines 
and  the  hemlocks, 

Bearded  with  moss,  and  in  garments  green,  indis- 
tinct in  the  twilight, 

Stand  like  Druids  of  eld,  with  voices  sad  and  pro- 
phetic, 

Stand  like  harpers  hoar,  with  beards  that  rest  on 
their  bosoms. 

Loud  from  its  rocky  caverns,  the  deep-voiced  neigh- 
boring ocean 

Speaks,  and  in  accents  disconsolate  answers  the 
wail  of  the  forest. 


This  is  the  forest  primeval ;  but  where  are  the 
hearts  that  beneath  it 

Leaped  like  the  roe,  when  he  hears  in  the  wood- 
land the  voice  of  the  huntsman  ? 

Where  is  the  thatch-roofed  village,  the  home  of 
Acadian  farmers,  — 

Men  whose  lives  glided  on  like  rivers  that  water 
the  woodlands. 

Darkened  by  shadows  of  earth,  but  reflecting  an 
image  of  heaven? 

Waste  are  those  pleasant  farms,  and  the  farmers 
forever  departed ! 


20 


EVANGELINE 


■ 


Scattered  like  dust  and  leaves,  when  the  iiiighty 
blasts  of  October 

Seize  them,  and  whirl  them  aloft,  and  sprinkle  them 
far  o'er  the  ocean. 

Naught  but  tradition  remains  of  the  beautiful  vil- 
lage of  Grand-Pr<j. 

Ye  who  believe  in  affection  that  hopes,  and  en- 
dures, and  is  patient, 

Yc  who  believe  in  the  beauty  and  strength  of 
woman's  devotion, 

List  to  the  mournful  tradition,  still  sung  by  the 
pines  of  the  forest ; 

List  to  a  Tale  of  Love  in  Acadie,  home  of  the 
happy. 

PART  THE  FIRST. 

I. 

In  the  Acadian  land,  on  the  shores  of  the  Basin 

of  Minas, 
Distant,  secluded,  stiU,  the  little  village  of  Grand- 

Pr<j 
Lay  in  the  fruitful  valley.    Vast  meadows  stretched 

to  the  eastward, 
Giving  the  village  its  name,  and  pasture  to  flocks 

without  number. 
Dikes,  that  the  hands  of  the  farmers  had  raised 

with  labor  incessant. 
Shut  out  the  turbulent  tides  ;  but  at  stated  seasons 

the  flood-gates 
Opened,  and  welcomed  the  sea  to  wander  at  will 

o'er  the  meadows. 


EVANGELINE 


21 


West  and  south  there  were  fields  of  flax,  and  or- 
chards and  cornfields 
Spreading  afar  and  unfenced  o'er  the  plain  ;    and 

away  to  the  northward 
Blomidon  rose,  and  the  forests  old,  and  aloft  on 

the  mountains 
Sea-fogs  pitched  their  tents,  and  mists  from  the 

mighty  Atlantic 
Looked  on  the  happy  valley,  but  ne'er  from  their 

station  descended. 
There,  in  the  midst  of  its  fare  •.  reposed  the  Aca- 
dian village. 
Strongly  built  were  the  houses,  with  frames  of  oak 

and  of  hemlock. 
Such  as  the  peasants  of  Normandy  built  in  the 

reign  of  the  Henries. 
Thatched  were  the  roofs,  with  dormer-windows ; 

and  gables  projecting 
Over  the  basement  below  protected  and  shaded  the 

doorway. 
There  in  the  tranquil  evenings  of  summer,  when 

brightly  the  sunset 
Lighted  the  village  street,  and  gilded  the  vanes  on 

the  chimneys. 
Matrons  and  maidens  sat  in  snow-white  caps  and 

in  kirtles 
Scarlet  and  blue  and  green,  with  distafEs  spinning 

the  golden 
Flax  for  the  gossiping  looms,  whose  noisy  shuttles 

within  doors 
Mingled  their  sounds  with  the  whir  of  the  wheels 

and  the  songs  of  the  maidens. 

Line  7.    Strongly  built  were  the  houses,  with  frames  of  oak  and  of  chestnut, 


!l 


22 


EVANGELINE 


\ 


Solemnly  down  the  street  came  the  parish  priest, 

and  the  children 
Paused  in  their  ])lay  to  kiss  the  hand  he  extended 

to  bless  them. 
Reverend  walked  he  among  them  ;   and  up  rose 

matrons  and  maidens, 
Hailing  his  slow  approach  with  words  of  affection- 
ate welcome. 
Then  came  the  laborers  home  from  the  field,  and 

serenely  the  sun  sank 
Down  to  his  rest,  and  twilight  prevailed.     Anon 

from  the  belfry 
Softly  the  Angelus  sounded,  and  over  the  roofs  of 

the  village 
Columns  of  pale  blue  smoke,  like  clouds  of  incense 

ascending. 
Rose  from  a  hundred  hearths,  the  homes  of  peace 

and  contentment. 
Thus  dwelt  together  in  love  these  simple  Acadian 

farmers,  — 
Dwelt  in  the  love  of  God  and  of  man.     Alike  were 

they  free  from 
Fear,  that  reigns  with  the  tyrant,  and  envy,  the 

vice  of  republics. 
Neither  locks  had  they  to  their  doors,  nor  bars  to 

their  windows ; 
But  their  dwellings  were   open  as  day  and  the 

hearts  of  the  owners  ; 
There  the  richest  was  poor,  and  the  poorest  lived 

in  abundance. 


Somewhat  apart  from  the  village,  and  nearer  the 
Basin  of  Minas, 


EVANGELINE 


28 


Benedict   BcUcfontaine,  the  wealthiest  farmer  of 

Grand- l*rd, 
Dwelt  on  his  goodly  acres ;  and  with  him,  direct- 
ing his  household, 
Gentle  Evangeline  lived,  his  child,  and  the  pride 

of  the  village. 
Stalworth  and  stately  in  form  was  the  man  of  sev- 
enty winters ; 
Hearty  and  hale  was  he,  an  oak  that  is  covered 

with  snow-flakes  ; 
White  as  the  snow  were  his  locks,  and  his  cheeks 

as  brown  as  the  oak-leaves. 
Fair  was  she  to  behold,  that  maiden  of  seventeen 

summers. 
Black  were  her  eyes  as  the  berry  that  grows  on  the 

thorn  by  the  wayside. 
Black,  yet  how  softly  they  gleamed  beneath  the 

brown  shade  of  her  tresses ! 
Sweet  was  her  breath  as  the  breath  of  kine  that 

feed  in  the  meadows. 
When  in  the  harvest  heat  she  bore  to  the  reapers 

at  noontide 
Flagons  of  home-brewed  ale,  ah !  fair  in  sooth  was 

the  maiden. 
Fairer  was  she  when,  on  Sunday  morn,  while  the 

bell  from  its  turret 
Sprinkled  with  holy  sounds  the  air,  as  the  priest 

with  his  hyssop 
Sprinkles  the  congregation,  and  scatters  blessings 

upon  them, 
Down  the  long  street  she  passed,  with  her  chaplet 

of  beads  and  her  missal. 
Wearing  her  Norman  cap,  and  her  kirtle  of  blue, 

and  the  ear-rings, 


Ml 


•i\ 


24 


EVANGELINE 


1 1' 


\ 


Brought  in  tho  olden  tiiuo  from  Franco,  and  since, 
aH  an  heirloom, 

Handed  down  from  mother  to  child,  through  long 
goncratious. 

But  a  celestial  brightness  —  a  more  ethereal 
beauty  — 

Shone  on  linr  face  and  encircled  her  form,  when, 
after  confession. 

Homeward  serenely  she  walked  with  God*s  bene- 
diction upon  her. 

When  she  had  passed,  it  seemed  like  the  ceasing 
of  exquisite  music. 

Firmly  buildcd  with  rafters  of  oak,  the  house 

of  the  farmer 
Stood  on  the  side  of  a  hill  commanding  the  sea ; 

and  a  shady 
Sycamore  grew  by  the    door,   with  a  woodbine 

wreathing  around  it. 
Rudely  carved  was  the  porch,  with  seats  beneath ; 

and  a  footpath 
Led  through  an  orchard  wide,  and  disappeared  in 

the  meadow. 
Under  the  sycamore-tree  were  hives  overhung  by  a 

penthouse, 
Such  as  the  traveller  sees  in  regions  remote  by  the 

roadside, 
Built  o'er  a  box  for  the  poor,  or  the  blessed  image 

of  Mary. 
Farther  down,  on  the  slope  of  the  hill,  was  the 

well  with  its  moss-grown 
Bucket,  fastened  with  iron,  and  near  it  a  trough 

for  the  horses. 


< 


EVANGELINE 


26 


Shielding  tho  house  from  Htornu;,  on  the  north, 
were  tho  barns  luul  tho  farm-yard. 

There  stood  tho  broad-wheeled  wains  and  the  an- 
tique ploughs  and  tho  harrows  ; 

There  were  tho  folds  for  tho  sheep ;  and  there,  in 
his  feathered  seraglio, 

Stmttod  the  lordly  turkey,  and  crowed  tho  cock, 
with  the  selfsanio 

Voice  that  in  ages  of  old  had  startled  the  penitent 
Peter. 

Bursting  with  hay  were  tho  barns,  themselves  a  vil- 
lage.    In  each  one 

Far  o'er  the  gable  projected  a  roof  of  thatch ;  and 
a  staircase, 

Under  the  sheltering  eaves,  led  up  to  the  odorous 
corn-loft. 

There  too  the  dove-cot  stood,  with  its  meek  and  in- 
nocent inmates 

Murmuring  ever  of  love ;  while  above  in  the  vari- 
ant breezes 

Numberless  noisy  weathercocks  rattled  and  sang  of 
mutation. 


Thus,  at  peace  with  God  and  the  world,  the  far- 
mer of  Grand-Pr(i 

Lived  on  his  sunny  farm,  and  Evangeline  governed 
his  household. 

Many  a  youth,  as  he  knelt  in  church  and  opened 
his  missal. 

Fixed  his  eyes  upon  her  as  the  saint  of  his  deepest 
devotion ; 

Happy  was  he  who  might  touch  her  hand  or  the  hem 
of  her  garment ! 

Line  14.    Many  a  youth,  as  he  knelt  in  tho  church  and  opened  his  missal, 


I 


f 

i 
i 

i 

1 

I 

! 
I 

1 

f 

ji 

|i'!' 


HfS'i 


26 


EVANGELINE 


Many  a  suitor  came  to  her  door,  by  the  darkness 
befriended, 

And,  as  he  knocked  and  waited  to  hear  the  sound 
of  her  footstei)s, 

Knew  not  which  beat  the  louder,  his  heart  or  the 
knocker  of  iron  ; 

Or  at  the  joyous  feast  of  the  Patron  Saint  of  the 
village. 

Bolder  grew,  and  pressed  her  hand  in  the  dance  as 
he  whispered 

Hurried  words  of  love,  that  seemed  a  part  of  the 
music. 

But,  among  all  who  came,  young  Gabriel  only  was 
welcome ; 

Gabriel  Lajeunesse,  the  son  of  Basil  the  black- 
smith. 

Who  was  a  mighty  man  in  the  village,  and  hon- 
ored of  aU  men ; 

For,  since  the  birth  of  time,  throughout  all  ages 
and  nations, 

Has  the  craft  of  the  smith  been  held  in  repute  by 
the  people. 

Basil  was  Benedict's  friend.  Their  children  from 
earliest  childhood 

Grew  up  together  as  brother  and  sister ;  and  Fa- 
ther Felician, 

Priest  and  pedagogue  both  in  the  village,  had 
taught  them  their  letters 

Out  of  the  selfsame  book,  with  the  hymns  of  the 
church  and  the  plain-song. 

But  when  the  hymn  was  sung,  and  the  daily  les- 
son completed, 

Swiftly  they  hurried  away  to  the  forge  of  Basil  the 
blacksmith. 


EVANGELINE 


27 


There  at  the  door  they  stood,  with  wondering  eyes 

to  behold  him 
Take  in  his  leathern  lap  the  hoof  of  the  horse  as 

a  plaything, 
Nailing  the  shoe  in  its  place ;  while  near  him  the 

tire  of  the  cart-wheel 
Lay  like  a  fiery  snake,  coiled  round  in  a  circle  of 

cinders. 
Oft  on  autumnal  eves,  when  without  in  the  gath- 
ering darkness 
Bursting  with  light  seemed  the  smithy,  through 

every  cranny  and  crevice. 
Warm  by  the  forge  within  they  watched  the  labor- 
ing bellows. 
And  as  its  panting  ceased,  and  the  sparks  expired 

in  the  ashes. 
Merrily  laughed,  and  said  they  were  nuns  going 

into  the  chapel. 
Oft  on  sledges  in  winter,  as  swift  as  the  swoop  of 

the  eagle, 
Down  the  hillside  bounding,  they  glided  away  o'er 

the  meadow. 
Oft  in  the  barns  they  climbed  to  the  populous  nests 

on  the  rafters. 
Seeking  with  eager  eyes  that  wondrous  stone,  which 

the  swallow 
Brings  from  the  shore  of  the  sea  to  restore  the  sight 

of  its  fledglings ; 
Lucky  was  he  who  found  that  stone  in  the  nest  of 

the  swallow ! 
Thus  passed  a  few  swift  years,  and  they  no  longer 

were  children. 
He  was  a  valiant  youth,  and  his  face,  like  the  face 

of  the  morning. 


('I 


28 


EVANGELINE 


i 


m\ 


Gladdened  the  earth  with  its  light,  and  ripened 
thought  into  action. 

She  was  a  woman  now,  with  the  heart  and  hopes  of 
a  woman. 

"  Sunshine  of  Saint  Eulalie  "  was  she  called ;  for 
that  was  the  sunshine 

Which,  as  the  farmers  believed,  would  load  their 
orchards  with  apples ; 

She,  too,  would  bring  to  her  husband's  house  de- 
light and  abundance. 

Filling  it  with  love  and  the  ruddy  faces  of  chil- 
dren. 


>B1! 


I?"' 


II. 

Now  had  the  season  returned,  when  the  nights  grow 

colder  and  longer, 
And  the  retreating  sun  the  sign  of  the  Scorpion 

enters. 
Birds  of  passage  sailed  through  the  leaden  air, 

from  the  ice-bound. 
Desolate  northern  bays  to  the  shores  of  tropical 

islands. 
Harvests  were    gathered  in ;   and  wild  with  the 

winds  of  September 
Wrestled  the  trees  of  the  forest,  as  Jacob  of  old 

with  the  angel. 
All  the  signs  foretold  a  winter  long  and  inclem- 
ent. 
Bees,  with  prophetic  instinct  of  want,  had  hoarded 

their  honey 
Till  the  hives  overflowed ;  and  the  Indian  hunters 

asserted 


Line  6.    Filling  it  full  of  love  and  the  ruddy  faces  of  children. 


EVANGELINE 


29 


Cold  would  the  winter  be,  for  tliick  was  the  fur  of 

the  foxes. 
Such  was  the  advent  of  autumn.     Then  followed 

that  beautiful  season, 
Called  by  the  pious  Acadian  peasants  the  Summer 

of  All-Saints ! 
Filled  was  the  air  with  a  dreamy  and  magical  light; 

and  the  landscape 
Lay  as  if  new-created  in  all  the  freshness  of  child- 
hood. 
Peace  seemed  to  reign  upon  earth,  and  the  restless 

heart  of  the  ocean 
Was  for  a  moment  consoled.     All  sounds  were  in 

harmony  blended. 
Voices  of  children  at  play,  the  crowing  of  cocks  in 

the  farm-yards. 
Whir  of  wings  in  the  drowsy  air,  and  the  cooing 

of  pigeons. 
All  were  subdued  and  low  as  the  murmurs  of  love, 

and  the  great  sun 
Looked  with  the  eye  of  love  through  the  golden 

vapors  around  him ; 
While  arrayed  in  its  robes  of  russet  and  scarlet  and 

yellow. 
Bright  with  the  sheen  of  the  dew,  each  glittering 

tree  of  the  forest 
Flashed  like  the  plane-tree  the  Persian  adorned 

with  mantles  and  jewels. 

Now  recommenced  the  reign  of  rest  and  affection 
and  stillness. 
Day  with  its  burden  and  heat  had  departed,  and 
twilight  descending 


41 


m 


n 


30 


EVANGELINE 


'li 


ih 


m 


Brought  back  the  evening  star  to  the  sky,  and  the 

herds  to  the  homestead. 
Pawing  the  ground  they  came,  and  resting  their 

necks  on  each  other, 
And  with  their  nostrils  distended  inhaling  the  fresh- 
ness of  evening. 
Foremost,  bearing  the  bell,  Evangeline's  beautiful 

heifer, 
Proud  of  her  snow-white  hide,  and  the  ribbon  that 

waved  from  her  collar. 
Quietly  paced  and  slow,  as  if  conscious  of  human 

affection. 
Then  came  the  shepherd  back  with  his  bleating 

flocks  from  the  seaside. 
Where  was  their  favorite  pasture.     Behind  them 

followed  the  watch-dog. 
Patient,  full  of  importance,  and  grand  in  the  pride 

of  his  instinct. 
Walking  from  side  to  side  with  a  lordly  air,  and 

superbly 
Waving  his  bushy  tail,  and  urging  forward  the 

stragglers ; 
Regent  of  flocks  was  he  when  the  she^  herd  slept ; 

their  protector. 
When  from  the  forest  at  night,  through  the  starry- 
silence  the  wolves  howled. 
Late,  with  the  rising  moon,  returned  the  wains  from 

the  marshes. 
Laden  with  briny  hay,  that  filled  the  air  with  its 

odor. 
Cheerily  neighed   the  steeds,  with  dew  on  their 

manes  and  their  fetlocks. 
While  aloft  on  their  shoulders  the  wooden  and 

ponderous  saddles. 


EVANGELINE 


31 


Painted  with  brilliant  dyes,  and  adorned  with  tas- 
sels of  crimson, 

Nodded  in  bright  array,  like  hollyhocks  heavy  with 
blossoms. 

Patiently  stood  the  cows  meanwhile,  and  yielded 
their  udders 

Unto  the  milkmaid's  hand ;  whilst  loud  and  in  reg- 
ular cadence 

Into  the  sounding  pails  the  foaming  streamlets  de- 
scended. 

Lowing  of  cattle  and  peals  of  laughter  were  heard 
in  the  farm-yard. 

Echoed  back  by  the  bams.  Anon  they  sank  into 
stillness ; 

Heavily  closed,  with  a  jarring  sound,  the  valves  of 
the  barn-doors. 

Battled  the  wooden  bars,  and  all  for  a  season  was 
silent. 


In-doors,  warm  by  the  wide-mouthed  fireplace, 

idly  the  farmer 
Sat  in  his  elbow-chair  and  watched  how  the  flames 

and  the  smoke-wreaths 
Straggled  together   like  foes  in  a  burning  city. 

Behind  him, 
Nodding  and  mocking  along  the  wall,  with  ges- 
tures fantastic. 
Darted  bis  own  huge  shadow,  and  vanished  away 

into  darkness. 
Faces,  clumsily  carved  in  oak,  on  the  back  of  his 

arm-chair 
Laughed  in  the  flickering  light ;  and  the  pewter 

plates  on  the  dresser 

Line  8.  Heavily  closed,  with  a  creaking  sound,  the  valves  of  the  barn-doors, 


82 


EVANGELINE 


n  m 


1  \      '  "  l'l!n 


Caught  and  reflected  the  flame,  as  shields  of  ar-    I 
mies  the  sunshine. 

Fragments  of  song  the  old  man  sang,  and  carols  of 
Christmas, 

Such  as  at  home,  in  the  olden  time,  his  fathers  be- 
fore him 

Sang  in  their  Norman  orchards  and  bright  Bur- 
gundian  vineyards. 

Close  at  her  father's  side  was  the  gentle  Evange-  ^ 
line  seated, 

Spinning  flax  for  the  loom,  that  stood  in  the  corner 
behind  her, 

Silent  awhile  were  its  treadles,  at  rest  was  its  dili- 
gent shuttle. 

While  the  monotonous  drone  of  the  wheel,  like  the 
drone  of  a  bagpipe. 

Followed  the  old  man's  song  and  united  the  frag- 
ments together. 

As  in  a  church,  when  the  chant  of  the  choir  at  in- 
tervals ceases. 

Footfalls  are  heard  in  the  aisles,  or  words  of  the 
priest  at  the  altar, 

So,  in  each  pause  of  the  song,  with  measured  mo- 
tion the  clock  clicked. 


\m\  ':.\ 


i ) 


.itl 


II;! 


Thus    as  they  sat,  there  were  footsteps  heard, 

and,  suddenly  lifted, 
Sounded   the  wooden  latch,  and  the  door  swung 

back  on  its  hinges. 
Benedict  knew  by  the  hob-nailed  shoes  it  was  Basil 

the  blacksmith, 
And  by  her  beating  heart  Evangeline  knew  who 

was  with  him. 


EVANGELINE 


33 


"  Welcome !  "  the  farmer  exclaimed,  as  their  foot- 
steps paused  on  the  threshold, 

"Welcome,  Basil,  my  friend!  Come,  take  thy 
place  on  the  settle 

Close  by  the  chimney-side,  which  is  always  empty 
without  thee ; 

Take  from  the  shelf  overhead  thy  pipe  and  the  box 
of  tobacco ; 

Never  so  much  thyself  art  thou  as  when  through 
the  curling 

Smoke  of  the  pipe  or  the  forge  thy  friendly  and 
jovial  face  gleams 

Bound  and  red  as  the  harvest  moon  through  the 
mist  of  the  marshes." 

Then,  with  a  smile  of  content,  thus  answered  Basil 
the  blacksmith. 

Taking  with  easy  air  the  accustomed  seat  by  the 
fireside :  — 

"  Benedict  Bellefontaine,  thou  hast  ever  thy  jest 
and  thy  ballad! 

Ever  in  cheerfullest  mood  art  thou,  when  others 
are  filled  with 

Gloomy  forebodings  of  ill,  and  see  only  ruin  be- 
fore them. 

Happy  art  thou,  as  if  every  day  thou  hadst  picked 
up  a  horseshoe." 

Pausing  a  moment,  to  take  the  pipe  that  Evange- 
line brought  him, 

And  with  a  coal  from  the  embers  had  lighted,  he 
slowly  continued :  — 

"  Four  days  now  are  passed  since  the  English  ships 
at  their  anchors 

Ride  in  the  Gaspereau's  mouth,  with  their  cannon 
pointed  against  us. 


m 


84 


EVANGELINE 


li 


AVhat  their  design  may  be  is  unknown  ;  but  all  are , 

commanded 
On  the  morrow  to  meet  in  the  church,  where  his  i 

Majesty's  mandate 
Will  be  proclaimed  as  law  in  the  land.     Alas !  in  | 

the  mean  time 
Many  surmises  of  evil  alarm  the  hearts  of  the  pec- 1 

pie." 
Then  made  answer  the  farmer :  "  Perhaps  some  | 

friendlier  purpose 
Brings  these  ships  to  our  shores.     Perhaps  the  har- 
vests in  England 
By  untimely  rains  or  untimelier  heat  have  been 

blighted, 
And  from  our  bursting  barns  they  would  feed  their 

cattle  and  children." 
"  Not  so  thinketh  the  folk  in  the  village,"  said, 

warmly,  the  blacksmith, 
Shaking  his  head,  as  in  doubt ;  then,  heaving  a 

sigh,  he  continued :  — 
"  Louisburg  is  not  forgotten,  nor  Beau  Sdjour,  nor 

Port  Royal. 
Many  already  have  fled  to  the  forest,  and  lurk  on 

its  outskirts. 
Waiting:  with  anxious  hearts  the  dubious  fate  of 

to-morrow. 
Arms  have  been  taken  from  us,  and  warlike  weap- 
ons of  all  kinds ; 
Nothing  is  left  but  the  blacksmith's  sledge  and  the 

scythe  of  the  mower." 
Then  with  a  pleasant  smile  made  answer  the  jovial 

farmer :  — 
"  Safer  are  we  unarmed,  in  the  midst  of  our  flocks 

and  our  cornfields. 


EVANGELINE  35 

Safer  within  these  peaceful  dikes,  besieged  by  the 

ocean, 
Than  our  fathers  in  forts,  besieged  by  the  enemy's 

cannon. 
Fear  no  evil,  my   friend,  and    to-night    may  no 

shadow  of  sorrow 
Fall  on  this  house  and  hearth ;  for  this  is  the  night 

of  the  contract. 
Built  are  the  house  and  the  barn.    The  merry  lads 

of  the  village 
Strongly  have  built  them  and  well ;  and,  breaking 

the  glebe  round  about  them. 
Filled  the  bam  with  hay,  and  the  house  with  food 

for  a  twelvemonth. 
Hen^  Leblanc  will  be  here  anon,  with  his  papers 

and  inkhorn. 
Shall  we  not  then  be  glad,  and  rejoice  in  the  joy  of 

our  children  ?  " 
As  apart  by  the  window  she  stood,  with  her  hand 

in  her  lover's. 
Blushing  Evangeline   heard  the  words  that  her 

father  had  spoken, 
And,  as  they  died  on  his  lips,  the  worthy  notary 

entered. 


II 


m. 

I  Bent  like  a  laboring  oar,  that  toils  in  the  surf  of 
§  the  ocean, 

I  Bent,  but  not  broken,  by  age  was  the  form  of  the 
I  notary  public ; 

Shocks  of  yellow  hair,  like  the  silken  floss  of  the 
maize,  hung 


86 


EVANGELINE 


'I  Mil 


Over  his  shoulders ;  his  forehead  was  high ;  and  | 

glasses  with  horn  bows 
Sat  astride  on  his  nose,  with  a  look  of  wisdom  su-  j 

pernal. 
Father  of  twenty  children  was  he,  and  more  than 

a  hundred 
Children's  children  rode  on  his  knee,  and  heard  his 

great  watch  tick. 
Four  long  years  in  the  times  of  the  war  had  he 

languished  a  captive. 
Suffering  much  in  an  old  French  fort  as  the  friend 

of  the  English. 
Now,  though  warier  grown,  without  all  guile  or 

suspicion, 
Eipe  in  wisdom  was  he,  but  patient,  and  simple, 

and  childlike. 
He  was  beloved  by  all,  and  most  of  all  by  the 

children ; 
For  he  told  them  tales  of  the  Loup-garou  in  the 

forest, 
And  of  the  gobliii  that  came  in  the  night  to  water 

the  horses. 
And  of  the  white  Ldtiche,  the  ghost  of  a  child  who 

unchristened 
Died,  and  was  doomed  to  haunt  unseen  the  cham- 
bers of  children ; 
And  how  on  Christmas  eve  the  oxen  talked  in  the 

stable, 
And  how  the  fever  was  cured  by  a  spider  shut  up 

in  a  nutshell. 
And  of  the  marvellous  powers  of  four-leaved  clover 

and  horseshoes. 
With  whatsoever  else  was  wiit  in  the  lore  of  the 

village. 


EVANGELINE 


87 


Then  up  rose  from  his  seat  by  the  fireside  Basil  the 
blacksmith, 

Knocked  from  his  pipe  the  ashes,  and  slowly  ex- 
tending  his  right  hand, 

"  Father  Leblanc,"  he  exclaimed,  "  thou  hast  heard 
the  talk  in  the  village, 

And,  perchance,  canst  tell  us  some  news  of  theso 
ships  and  their  errand." 

Then  with  modest  demeanor  made  answer  the  no- 
tary public,  — 

"Gossip  enough  have  I  heard,  in  sooth,  yet  am 
never  the  wiser ; 

And  what  their  errand  may  be  I  know  not  better 
than  others. 

Yet  am  I  not  of  those  who  imagine  some  evil  in- 
tention 

Brings  them  here,  for  we  are  at  peace ;  and  why 
then  molest  us  ?  " 

"  God's  name ! "  shouted  the  hasty  and  somewhat 
irascible  blacksmith ; 

"  Must  we  in  all  things  look  for  the  how,  and  the 
why,  and  the  wherefore  ? 

Daily  injustice  is  done,  and  might  is  the  right  of 
the  strongest !  " 

But  without  heeding  his  warmth,  continued  the 
notary  public,  — 

"  Man  is  unjust,  but  God  is  just ;  and  finally  jus- 
tice 

Triumphs ;  and  well  I  remember  a  story,  that  often 
consoled  me, 

When  as  a  captive  I  lay  in  the  old  French  fort  at 
Port  Royal." 

This  was  the  old  man's  favorite  tale,  and  he  loved 
to  repeat  it 


it 


'4 


18 


EVANGELINE 


■ 


When  his  nci^'libnrH  complained  that  any  injustice 
was  dono  them. 

"  Once  in  an  suu-icnt  city,  whoso  name  I  no  longer 
remember, 

Raised  aloft  on  a  column,  a  brazen  statue  of  Jus- 
tice 

Stood  In  the  public  square,  upholding  tho  scales  in 
its  left  hand, 

And  in  its  right  a  sword,  as  an  emblem  that  justice 
presided 

Over  the  laws  of  the  land,  and  the  hearts  and 
homes  of  the  people. 

Even  the  birds  had  built  their  nests  in  the  scales 
of  the  balance, 

Having  no  fear  of  the  sword  that  flashed  in  the 
sunshine  above  them. 

But  in  the  course  of  time  the  laws  of  the  land  were 
corrupted ; 

Might  took  the  place  of  right,  and  the  weak  were 
oppressed,  and  the  mighty 

Ruled  with  an  iron  rod.  Then  it  chanced  in  a  no- 
bleman's palace 

That  a  necklace  of  pearls  was  lost,  and  erelong  a 
suspicion 

Fell  on  an  orphan  girl  who  lived  as  a  maid  in  the 
household. 

She,  after  form  of  trial  condemned  to  die  on  the 
scaffold, 

Patiently  met  her  doom  at  the  foot  of  the  statue  of 
Justice. 

As  to  her  Father  in  heaven  her  innocent  spirit  as- 
cended. 

Line  1.    Whenever  neighbors  complained  that  any  injustice  was  done  them. 
Line  13.    Fell  on  an  orphan  girl  who  lived  as  moid  in  the  household. 


EVANGELINE 


89 


Lo  I  o'er  tho  city  a  tempost  rose ;  and  the  bolts  of 

tlio  thuiulor 
Smote  the  stattio  of  bronze,  ami  hurled  in  wrath 

from  itH  left  hand 
Down  on  the  pavement  below  tho  clattering  Hcales 

of  tho  balance, 
And  in  the  hollow  thereof  was  found  the  nest  of  a 

magpie, 
Into  whose  elay-built  walls  the  necklace  oi  pearls 

was  inwoven." 
Silenced,  but  not  convinced,  when  the  story  was 

ended,  the  blacksmith 
Stood  like  a,  man  who  fain  would  speak,  but  findeth 

no  language ; 
All  his  thoughts  were  congealed  into  lines  on  his 

face,  as  the  vapors 
Freeze  in  fantastic  shapes  on  the  window-panes  in 

the  winter. 

Then  Evangeline  lighted  the  brazen  lamp  on  the 

table. 
Filled,  till  it  overflowed,  the  pewter  tankard  with 

home-brewed 
Nut-brown  ale,  that  was  famed  for  its  strength  in 

the  village  of  Grand-Pr(; ; 
While  from  his  pocket  the  notary  drew  his  papers 

and  inkhorn, 
Wrote  with  a  steady  hand  the  date  and  the  age  of 

the  parties. 
Naming  the  dower  of  the  bride  in  flocks  of  sheep 

and  in  cattle. 
Orderly  all  things  proceeded,  and  duly  and  well 

were  completed. 

Line  8.    And  all  his  thoughts  congealed  into  lines  on  his  face,  as  the  vapors 


t 


40 


EVANGELINE 


\^''ii 


i' 


And  the  great  seal  of  the  law  was  set  like  a  sun  on 

the  margin. 
Then  from  his  leathern  pouch  the  farmer  threw  on 

the  table 
Three  times  the  old  man's  fee  in  solid  pieces  of 

silver ; 
And  the  notary  rising,  and  blessing  the  bride  and 

the  bridegroom, 
Lifted  aloft  the  tankard  of  ale  and  drank  to  their 

welfare. 
Wiping  the  foam  from  his  lip,  he  solemnly  bowed 

and  departed. 
While  in  silence  the  others  sat  and  mused  by  the 

fireside, 
Till  Evangeline  brought  the  draught-board  out  of 

its  corner. 
Soon  was  the  game  begim.     In  friendly  contention 

the  old  men 
Laughed  at  each  lucky  hit,  or  unsuccessful  ma- 
noeuvre. 
Laughed  when  a  man  was  crowned,  or  a  breach  was 

made  in  the  king-row. 
Meanwhile  apart,  in  the  twilight  gloom  of  a  win- 
dow's embrasure, 
Sat  the  lovers,  and  whispered  together,  beholding 

the  moon  rise 
Over  the  pallid  sea,  and  the  silvery  mists  of  the 

meadows. 
Silently  one  by  one,  in  the  infinite  meadows  of 

heaven. 
Blossomed  the  lovely  stars,  the  forget-me-nots  of  the 

angels. 

Line  14.    Over  the  pallid  sea,  and  the  silvery  mist  of  the  meadows. 


EVANGELINE 


41 


Thus  was  the  evening  passed.     Anon  the  bell 

from  the  belfry 
Rang  out  the  hour  of  nine,  the  village  curfew,  and 

straightway 
Rose  the  guests  and  departed ;  and  silence  reigned 

in  the  household. 
Many  a  farewell  word  and  sweet  good-night  on  the 

door-step 
Lingered  long  in  Evangeline's  heart,  and  filled  it 

with  gladness. 
Carefully  then  were  covered  the  embers  that  glowed 

on  the  hearth-stone, 
And  on  the  oaken  stairs  resounded  the  tread  of  the 

farmer. 
Soon  with  a  soundless  step  the  foot  of  Evangeline 

followed. 
Up  the  staircase  moved  a  luminous  space  in  the 

darkness. 
Lighted  less  by  the  lamp  than  the  shining  face  of 

the  maiden. 
Silent  she  passed  the  hall,  and  entered  the  door  of 

her  chamber. 
Simple  that  chamber  was,  with  its  curtains  of  white, 

and  its  clothes-press 
Ample  and  high,  on  whose  spacious  shelves  were 

carefully  folded 
Linen  and  woollen  stuffs,  by  the  hand  of  Evange- 
line woven. 
This  was  the  precious  dower  she  would  bring  to  her 

husband  in  marriage. 
Better  than  flocks  and  herds,  being  proofs  of  her 

skill  as  a  housewife. 

Iiine  11.    Silent  she  passed  through  the  hall,  and  entered  the  door  of  her 
chamber. 


m 


42 


EVANGELINE 


Soon  she  extinguished  her  lamp,  for  the  mellow 

and  radiant  moonlight 
Streamed  through  the  windows,  and  lighted  the 

room,  till  the  heart  of  the  maiden 
Swelled  and  obeyed  its  power,  like  the  tremulous 

tides  of  the  ocean. 
Ah !  she  was  fair,  exceeding  fair  to  behold,  as  she 

stood  with 
Naked  snow-white  feet  on  the  gleaming  floor  of  her 

chamber ! 
Little  she  dreamed  that  below,  among  the  trees  of 

the  orchard. 
Waited  her  lover  and  watched  for  the  gleam  of  her 

lamp  and  her  shadow. 
Yet  were  her  thoughts  of  him,  and  at  times  a  feel- 
ing of  sadness 
Passed  o'er  her  soul,  as  the  sailing  shade  of  clouds 

in  the  moonlight 
Flitted  across  the  floor  and  darkened  the  room  for 

a  moment. 
And,  as  she  gazed  from  the  window,  she  saw  se- 
renely the  moon  pass 
Forth  from  the  folds  of  a  cloud,  and  ore  star  follow 

her  footsteps, 
Akj  out  of  Abraham's  tent  young  Ishmael  wandered 

with  Hagar  I 


IV. 

Pleasantly  rose  next  moin  the  sun  on  the  village  of 

Grand-Prd. 
Pleasantly  gleamed  in  the  soft,  sweet  air  the  Basin 

of  Minas, 


EVANGELINE 


48 


Where  the  ships,  with  their  wavering  shadows,  were 
riding  at  anchor. 

Life  had  long  been  astir  in  the  village,  and  clamor- 
ous labor 

Knocked  with  its  hundred  Lands  at  the  golden  gates 
of  the  morning. 

Now  from  the  country  around,  from  the  farms  and 
neighboring  hamlets. 

Came  in  their  holiday  dresses  the  ,blithe  Acadian 
peasants. 

Many  a  glad  good-morrow  and  jocund  laugh  from 
the  young  folk 

Made  the  bright  air  brighter,  as  up  from  the  nu- 
merous meadows, 

Where  nc  path  could  be  seen  but  the  track  of 
wheels  in  the  greensward. 

Group  Jifter  group  appeared,  and  joined,  or  passed 
on  the  highway. 

Long  ere  noon,  in  the  village  all  sounds  of  labor 
were  silenced. 

Thronged  were  the  streets  with  people ;  and  noisy 
groups  at  the  house-doors 

Sat  in  the  cheerful  sun,  and  rejoiced  and  gossiped 
together. 

Every  house  was  an  inn,  where  all  were  welcomed 
and  feasted ; 

For  with  this  simple  people,  who  lived  like  broth- 
ers together, 

All  things  were  held  in  common,  and  vrhat  one  had 
was  another's. 

Yet  under  Benedict's  roof  hospitality  seemed  more 
abundant : 

For  Evangeline  stood  among  the  guests  of  her 
father ; 


i'^ 


44 


EVANGELINE 


.-J 
11 


:.ii?i! 


I'HBiin 


Bright  was  her  face  with  smiles,  and  words  of  wel- 
come and  gladness 

Fell  from  her  beautiful  lips,  and  blessed  the  cup 
as  she  gave  it. 

Under  the  open  sky,  in  the  odorous  air  of  the 

orchard, 
Sfcript  of  its  golden  fruit,  was  spread  the  feast  of 

betrothal. 
There  in  the  shade  of  the  porch  were  the  priest  and 

the  notary  seated ; 
There  good  Benedict  sat,  and  sturdy  Basil  the 

blacksmith. 
Not  far  withdrawn  from  these,  by  the  cider-press 

and  the  beehives, 
Michael  the  fiddler  was  placed,  with  the  gayest  of 

hearts  and  of  waistcoats. 
Shadow   and  light   from    the  leaves  alternately 

played  on  his  snow-white 
Hair,  as  it  waved  in  the  wind  ;  and  the  jolly  face 

of  the  fiddler 
Glowed  like  a  living  coal  when  the  ashes  are  blown 

from  the  embers. 
Gayly  the  old  man  sang  to  the  vibrant  sound  of 

his  fiddle, 
Tous  les  Bourgeois  de  Chartres^  and  Le  Carillon 

de  Dunquerque, 
And  anon  with  his  wooden  shoes  beat  time  to  the 

music. 
Merrily,  merrily  whirled  the  wheels  of  the  dizzy- 
ing dances 
Under  the  orchard-trees  ar  i  down  the  path  to  the 

meadows ; 


EVANGELINE 


45 


01(1  folk  and  young  together,  and  children  mingled 

among  them. 
Fairest  of  all  the  maids  was  Evangeline,  Benedict's 

daughter  I 
Noblest  of  all  the  youths  was  Gabriel,  son  of  the 

blacksmith ! 


m 


So  passed  the  morning  away.  And  lo !  with  a 
summons  sonorous 

Sourded  the  bell  from  its  tower,  and  over  the 
meadows  a  drum  beat. 

Thronged  erelong  was  the  church  with  men.  With- 
out, in  the  churchyard, 

Waited  the  women.  They  stood  by  the  graves, 
and  hung  on  the  headstones 

Garlands  of  autumn  -  leaves  and  evergreens  fresh 
from  the  forest. 

Then  came  the  guard  from  the  ships,  and  march- 
ing proudly  among  them 

Entered  the  sacred  portal.  With  loud  and  dis- 
sonant clangor 

Echoed  the  sound  of  their  brazen  drums  from  ceil- 
ing and  casement,  — 

Echoed  a  moment  only,  and  slowly  the  ponderous 
portal 

Closed,  and  in  silence  the  crowd  awaited  the  will 
of  the  soldiers. 

Then  uprose  their  commander,  and  spake  from  the 
steps  of  the  altar, 

Holding  aloft  in  his  hands,  with  its  seals,  the  royal 


commission. 


"You  are  convened  this  day,"  he  said,  "by  his 
Majesty's  orders. 


46 


EVANGELINE 


I;||i!n|v; 


Clement  and  kind  has  he  been ;  but  how  you  have 

answered  his  kindness, 
Let  your  own  hearts  reply  !     To  my  natural  make 

and  my  temper 
Painful  the  task  is  I  do,  which  to  you  I  know  must 

be  grievous. 
Yet  must  I  bow  and  obey,  and  deliver  the  will  of 

our  monarch  ; 
Namely,  that  all  your  lands,  and  dwellings,  and 

cattle  of  all  kinds 
Forfeited   be  to  the  crown ;  and   that  you  your- 
selves from  this  province 
Be   transported   to  other  lands.    God  grant  you 

may  dwell  there 
Ever  as  faithful  subjects,  a  happy  and  peaceable 

people ! 
Prisoners  now  I  declare  you  ;  for  such  is  his  Maj- 
esty's pleasure ! " 
As,  when   the  air  is  serene   in   sultry  solstice  of 

summer, 
Suddenly  gathers  a  storm,  and  the  deadly  sling  of 

the  hailstones 
Beats  down  the  farmer's  corn  in  the  field  and 

shatters  his  windows. 
Hiding  the  sun,  and  strewing  the   ground   with 

thatch  from  the  house-roofs. 
Bellowing  fly  the  herds,  and  seek  to  break  their 

enclosures ; 
So  on  the  hearts  of  the  people   descended  the 

words  of  the  speaker. 
Silent  a  moment  they  stood  in  speechless  wonder, 

and  then  rose 
Louder   and  ever  louder  a  wail  of   sorrow  and 

anger. 


EVANGELINE 


47 


And,  by  one  impulse  moved,  they  madly  rushed  to 

the  door-way. 
Vain  was  the  hope  of  escape ;  and  cries  and  fierce 

imprecations 
Rang  through  the  house  of  prayer ;  and  high  o'er 

the  heads  of  the  others 
Rose,  with  his  arms  uplifted,  the  figure  of  Basil 

the  blacksmith, 
As,  on  a  stormy  sea,  a  spar  is  tossed  by  the  bil- 
lows. 
Flushed  was  his  face  and  distorted  with  passion ; 

and  wildly  he  shouted,  — 
"  Down  with  the  tyrants  of  England  I  we  never 

have  sworn  them  allegiance  I 
Death  to  these  foreign  soldiers,  who  seize  on  our 

homes  and  our  harvests !  " 
More  he  fain  would  have  said,  but  the  merciless 

hand  of  a  soldier 
Smote  him  upon  the  mouth,   and   dragged   him 

down  to  the  pavement. 


)'l 


In  the  midst  of  the  strife  and  tumult  of  angry 

contention, 
Lo !  the  door  of  the  chancel  opened,  and  Father 

Felician 
Entered,  with  serious  mien,  and  ascended  the  steps 

of  the  altar. 
Raising  his  reverend  hand,  with  a  gesture  he  awed 

into  silence 
All  that  clamorous  throng ;  and  thus  he  spake  to 

his  people ; 
Deep  were  his  tones    and    solemn  ;    in   accents 

measured  and  mournful 


48 


EVANGELINE 


ll'i'i: 


Spake  he,  as,  after  the  tocsin's  alarum,  distinctly 
the  clock  strikes. 

"What  is  this  that  ye  do,  my  children?  what 
madness  has  seized  you  ? 

Forty  years  of  my  life  have  I  labored  among  you, 
and  taught  you. 

Not  in  word  alone,  but  in  deed,  to  love  one  an- 
other ? 

Is  this  the  fruit  of  my  toils,  of  my  vigils  and  pray- 
ers and  privations  ? 

Have  you  so  soon  forgotten  all  lessons  of  love  and 
forgiveness  ? 

This  is  the  house  of  the  Prince  of  Peace,  and  would 
you  profane  it 

Thus  with  violent  deeds  and  hearts  overflowing 
with  hatred  ? 

Lo  I  where  the  crucified  Christ  from  his  cross  is 


gazing  upon  you 


T 


See !  in  those  sorrowful  eyes  what  meekness  and 

holy  compassion ! 
Hark !  how  those  lips  still  repeat  the  prayer,  *  O 

Father,  forgive  them  ! ' 
Let  us  repeat  that  prayer  in  the  hour  when  the 

wicked  assail  us. 
Let  us  repeat  it  now,  and  say,  *  O  Father,  forgive 

them ! '  " 
Few  were  his  words  of  rebuke,  but  deep  in  the 

hearts  of  his  people 
Sank  they,  and  sobs  of  contrition  succeeded  the 

passionate  outbreak. 

Line  15.    Sank  they,  and  sobs  of  contrition  eucceeded  that  passionate  out- 
break, 


Line  1.    And  tb 


I 


EVANGELINE 


49 


While  they  repeated  his  prayer,  and   said,  "O 
Father,  torgive  them !  " 

Then  came  the   evening  service.     The  tapers 

gleamed  from  the  altar. 
Fervent  and  deep  was  the  voice  of  the  priest,  and 

the  people  responded. 
Not  with  their  lips  alone,  but  their  hearts ;  and 

the  Ave  Maria 
Sang  they,  and  fell  on  their  knees,  and  their  souls, 

with  devotion  translated. 
Rose  on  the  ardor  of  prayer,  like  Elijah  ascending 

to  heaven. 


Meanwhile  had  spread  in  the  village  the  tidings 
of  ill,  and  on  all  sides 

Wandered,  wailing,  from  house  to  house  the  wo- 
men and  children. 

Long  at  her  father's  door  Evangeline  stood,  with 
her  right  hand 

Shielding  her  eyes  from  the  level  rays  of  the  sun, 
that,  descending. 

Lighted  the  village  street  with  mysterious  splen- 
dor, and  roofed  each 

Peasant's  cottage  with  golden  thatch,  and  embla- 
zoned its  windows. 

Long  within  had  been  spread  the  snow-white  clotL 
on  the  table  ; 

There  stood  the  wheaten  loaf,  and  the  honey  fra- 
grant with  wild-flowers  ; 

There  stood  the  tankard  of  de,  and  the  cheese 
fresh  brought  from  the  dairy. 

Line  1.    And  they  repeated  bia  prayer,  and  said,  "  0  Father,  forgive  tUcai  I  " 


50 


EVANGELINE 


m. 


iill  lIK.in  I 


And,  at  the  head  of  the  board,  the  great  arm-chair 
of  the  farmer. 

Thus  did  Evangeline  wait  at  her  father's  door,  as 
the  sunset 

Threw  the  long  shadows  of  trees  o'er  the  broad 
ambrosial  meadows. 

Ah  !  on  )iev  spirit  within  a  deeper  shadow  had 
fallen, 

And  from  the  fields  of  her  soul  a  fragrance  celes- 
tial ascended,  — 

Charity,  n-3jkness,  love,  and  hope,  and  forgive- 
ness, and  patience  I 

Then,  all-forgetful  of  self,  she  wandered  into  the 
village. 

Cheering  with  looks  and  words  the  mournful  hearts 
of  the  women. 

As  o'er  the  darkening  fields  with  lingering  steps 
they  departed. 

Urged  by  their  household  cares,  and  the  weary  feet 
of  their  children. 

Down  sank  the  great  red  sun,  and  in  golden,  glim- 
mering vapors 

Veiled  the  light  of  his  face,  like  the  Prophet  de- 
scending from  Sinai. 

Sweetly  over  the  village  the  bell  of  the  Angelus 
sounded. 


ii 


Meanwhile,  amid  the  gloom,  by  the  church  Evan- 
geline lingered. 
All  was  silent  within  ;  and  in  vain  at  the  door  and 
the  windows 


Line  8.    Cheering  with  looks  and  words  the  diBCOnsoIate  hearts  of  the 
women, 


EVANGELINE 


61 


Stood  she,  and  listened  and  looked,  till,  ovorcomo 

by  emotion, 
"Gabriel !  "  cried  .she  aloud  with  tremulous  voir 

but  no  answer 
Came  from  the  graves  of  the  dead,  nor  the  gloom- 
ier grave  of  the  living. 
Slowly  at  length  she  returned  to  the   tenantless 

house  of  her  father. 
Smouldered  the  fire  on  the  hearth,  on  the  board 

was  the  supper  untasted. 
Empty  and  drear  was  each  room,  and  haunted  with 

phantoms  of  terror. 
Sadly  echoed  her  step  on  the  stair  and  the  floor  of 

her  chamber. 
In  the  dead  of  the  night  she  heard  the  disconsolate 

rain  fall 
Loud  on  the  withered  leaves  of  the  sycamore-tree 

by  the  window. 
Keenly  the  lightning  flashed ;  and  the  voice  of  the 

echoing  thunder 
Told  her  that  God  was  in  heaven,  and  governed 

the  world  he  created  ! 
Then  she  remembered  the  tale  she  had  heard  of 

the  justice  of  Heaven  ; 
Soothed  was  her  troubled  soul,  and  she  peacefully 

slumbered  till  morning. 

Line  5.    Smouldered  the  fire  in  the  hearth,  on  the  board  atood  the  supper 

untasted, 
Line  8.    In  the  dead  of  night  she  heard  the  whispering  rain  fall 
Line  10.    Keenly  the  lightning  flashed ;  and  the  voice  of  the  neighboring 

thunder 


62 


EVANGELINE 


V. 


Four  times  tho  8un  had  risen  and  set ;  and  now 

on  the  fifth  day 
Cheerily  called  the  cock  to  tho  sleeping  maids  of 

the  farm-house. 
Soon  o'er  tho  yellow  fields,  in  silent  and  mournful 

procession, 
Came  from  the  neighboring  hamlets  and  farms  the 

Acadian  women. 
Driving  in  ponderous  wains  thel"  household  goods 

to  the  sea-shore, 
Pausing  and  looking  back  to  gaze  oncc  more  on 

their  dwellings, 
Ere  they  were  shut  from  sight  by  the  winding  road 

and  the  woodland. 
Close  at  their  sides  their  children  ran,  and  urged 

on  the  oxen. 
While  in  their  little  hands  they  clasped  some  frag- 
ments of  playthings. 


I  '     rf  li 


iiil:ir 


Thus  to  the   Gaspereau's  mouth  they  hurried ; 

and  there  on  the  sea-beach 
Piled  in  confusion  lay  the  household  goods  of  the 

peasants. 
All  day  long  between  the  shore  and  the  ships  did 

the  boats  ply ; 
All  day  long  the  wains  came  laboring  down  from 

the  village. 
Late  in  the  afternoon,  when  the  sun  was  near  to 

his  setting. 
Echoed  far  o'er  the  fields  came  the  roll  of  drums 

from  the  churchyard. 


EVANGELINE 


53 


Thither  the  woiiien  and  chihlreu  thronged.  On  a 
Buddon  the  church-doors 

Opened,  aud  forth  came  the  guard,  and  marching 
in  gloomy  procession 

Followed  the  long-imprisoned,  but  patient,  Aca- 
dian farmers. 

Even  as  pilgrims,  who  journey  afar  from  their 
homes  and  their  country, 

Sing  as  they  go,  and  in  singing  forget  they  are 
weary  and  wayworn, 

So  with  songs  on  their  lips  the  Acadian  peasants 
descended 

Down  from  the  church  to  the  shore,  amid  their 
wives  and  their  daughters. 

Foremost  the  young  men  came ;  and,  raising  to- 
gether their  voices. 

Sang  with  tremulous  lips  a  chant  of  the  Catholic 
Missions :  — 

"Sacred  heart  of  the  Saviour!  O  inexhaustible 
fountain  ! 

Fill  our  hearts  this  day  with  strength  and  submis- 
sion and  patience !  " 

Then  the  old  men,  as  they  marched,  and  the  women 
that  stood  by  the  wayside 

Joined  in  the  sacred  psalm,  and  the  birds  in  the 
sunshine  above  them 

Mingled  their  notes  therewith,  like  voices  of  spirits 
departed. 

Half-way  down  to  the  shore  Evangeline  waited 
in  silence. 
Not  overcome  with  grief,  but  strong  in  the  hour 
of  affliction,  — 


ir 


64 


EVANGELINE 


<   ■■ 


m 


Calmly  and  sadly  she  waited,  until  the  procession 

approached  her, 
And  she  beheld  the  face  of  Gabriel  pale  with 

emotion. 
Tears  ther  filled  her  eyes,  and,  eagerly  running  to 

meet  him, 
Clasped  she  his  hands,  and  laid  her  head  on  his 

shoulder,  and  whispered,  — 
"  Gabriel !  be  of  good  cheer  I  for  if  we  love  one 

another 
Nothing,   in  truth,  can  harm  us,  whatever  mis- 
chances may  happen !  " 
Smiling  she  spake  these  words ;   then   suddenly 

paubcd,  for  her  father 
Saw  she  slowly  advancing.    Alas!   how  changed 

was  his  aspect ! 
Gone  was  the  glow  from  his  cheek,  and  the  fire 

from  his  eye,  and  his  footstep 
Heavier  ^eemed  with  the  weight  of  the  heavy  heart 

in  his  bosom. 
But  with  a  smile  and  a  sigh,  she  clasped  his  neck 

and  embraced  him. 
Speaking  words  of  endearment  where  words  of 

comfort  availed  not. 
Thus  to  the  Gaspereau's  mouth  moved  on  that 

mournful  procession. 


There  disorder  prevailed,  and  the  tumult  and 
stir  of  embarking. 

Busily  plied  the  freighted  boats  ;  and  in  the  con- 
fusion 

Wives  were  torn  from  their  husbands,  and  moth- 
ers, too  late,  saw  their  children 


EVANGELINE 


66 


Left  on  the  land,  extending  their  arms,  with  wild- 
est entreaties. 
So  unto  separate  ships  were  Basil  and  Gabriel 

carried, 
While  in  despair  on  the  shore  Evangeline  stood 

with  her  father. 
Half  the  task  was  not  done  when  the  sun  went 

down,  and  the  twilight 
Deepened  and  darkened  around ;  and  in  haste  the 

refluent  ocean 
Fled  away  from  the  shore,  and  left  the  line  of  the 

sand-beach 
Covered  with  waifs  of  the  tide,  with  kelp  and  the 

slippery  sea-weed. 
Farther  back  in  the  midst  of  the  household  goods 

and  the  wagons. 
Like  to  a  gypsy  camp,  or  a  leaguer  after  a  battle. 
All  escape  cut  off  by  the  sea,  and  the  sentinels 

near  them, 
Lay  encamped  for  the  night  the  houseless  Acadian 

farmers. 
Back  to  its  nethermost  caves  retreated  the  bellow- 
ing ocean. 
Dragging  adown  the  beach  the  rattling  pebbles, 

and  leaving 
Inland  and  far  up  the  shore  the  stranded  boats  of 

the  sailors. 
Then,  as  the  night  descended,  the  herds  returned 

from  their  pastures ; 
Sweet  was  the  moist  still  air  with  the  odor  of  milk 

from  their  udders ; 
Lowing  they  waited,  and  long,  aft  the  well-known 

bars  of  the  farm-yard,  — 


56 


EVANGELINE 


Waited  and  looked  in  vain  for  the  voice  and  the 

hand  of  the  milk-maid. 
Silence  reigned  in  the  streets  ;  from  the  church  no 

Angelus  sounded, 
Rose  no  smoke  from   the  roofs,  and  gleamed  no 

lights  from  the  windows. 


I'i 


But  on  the  shores  meanwhile  the  evening  fires 

had  been  kindled. 
Built  of  the  drift-wood  thrown  on  the  sands  from 

wrecks  in  the  tempest. 
Eound  them  shapes  of  gloom  and  sorrowful  faces 

were  gathered, 
Voices  of  women  were  heard,  and  of  men,  and  the 

crying  of  children. 
Onward  from  fire  to  fire,  as  from  hearth  to  hearth 

in  his  parish. 
Wandered  the  faithful  priest,  consoling  and  bless- 
ing and  cheering. 
Like  unto  shipwrecked  Paul  on  Melita's  desolate 

sea-shore. 
Thus  he  approached  the  place  where  Evangeline 

sat  with  her  father. 
And  in  the  flickering  light  beheld  the  face  of  the 

old  man. 
Haggard  and  hollow  and  wan,  aid  without  either 

thought  or  emotion, 
E'en  as  the  face  of  a  clock  from  which  the  hands 

have  been  taken. 
Vainly  Evangeline  strove  with  words  and  caresses 

to  cheer  him, 
Vainly  offered  him  food ;   yet  he  moved  not,  he 

look  rl  not,  he  spake  not. 


EVANGELINE 


bl 


But,  with  a  vacant  stare,  ever  gazed  at  the  flicker- 
ing fr  ..-light. 

"  Benedicite  /  "  murmured  the  priest,  in  tones  of 
compassion. 

More  he  fain  would  have  said,  but  his  heart  was 
full,  and  his  accents 

Faltered  and  paused  on  his  lips,  as  the  feet  of  a 
child  on  the  threshold, 

Hushed  by  the  scene  he  beholds,  and  the  awful 
presence  of  sorrow. 

Silently,  therefore,  he  laid  his  hand  on  the  head  of 
the  maiden. 

Raising  his  tearful  eyes  to  the  silent  stars  that 
above  them 

Moved  on  their  way,  unperturbed  by  the  wrongs 
and  sorrows  of  mortals. 

Then  sat  he  down  at  her  side,  and  they  wept  to- 
gether in  silence. 


tfl 


i 


Suddenly  rose  from  the  south  a  light,  as  in  au- 
tumn the  blood-red 

Moon  climbs  the  crystal  walls  of  heaven,  and  o'er 
the  horizon 

Titan-like  stretches  its  hundred  hands  upon  the 
mountain  and  meadow. 

Seizing  the  rocks  and  the  rivers,  and  piling  huge 
shadows  together. 

Broader  and  ever  broader  it  gleamed  on  the  roofs 
of  the  village. 

Gleamed  on  the  sky  and  sea,  and  the  ships  that  lay 
in  the  voadstead. 

Line  7.    Raising  his  eyes,  full  of  tears,  to  the  silent  stars  that  above  them 
Line  12.    TitaU'  like  stretches  its  hundred  hands  upon  mountain  and  meadow, 
Uue  15.    Gleamed  on  th«  sky  and  the  sea,  and  the  ships  that  lay  in  the 
roadstead. 


58 


EVANGELINE 


Columiis  of  shining  smoke  uprose,  and  flashes  of 
flame  were 

Thrust  through  their  folds  and  withdrawn,  like  the 
quivering  hands  of  a  martyr. 

Then  as  the  wind  seized  the  gleeds  and  the  burn- 
ing thatch,  and,  uplifting, 

Whirled  them  aloft  through  the  air,  at  once  from 
a  hundred  house-tops 

Started  the  sheeted  smoke  with  flashes  of  flame  in- 
termingled. 


These  things  beheld  in  dismay  the  crowd  on  the 

shore  and  on  shipboard. 
Speechless  at  first  they  stood,  then  cried  aloud  in 

their  anguish, 
"  We  shall  behold  no  more  our  homes  in  the  village 

of  Grand-Pr6 ! " 
Loud  on  a  sudden  the  cocks  began  to  crow  in  the 

farm-yards. 
Thinking  the  day  had  dawned ;  and  anon  the  low- 
ing of  cattle 
Came  on  the  evening  breeze,  by  the  barking  of 

dogs  interrupted. 
Then  rose  a  sound  of  dread,  such  as  startles  the 

sleeping  encampments 
Far  in  the  western  prairies  or  forests  that  skirt  the 

Nebraska, 
When  the  wild  horses  affrighted  sweep  by  with  the 

speed  of  the  whirlwind, 
Or  the  loud  bellowing  herds  of  buffaloes  rush  to 

the  river. 
Such  was  the  sound  that  arose  on  the  night,  as  the 

herds  and  the  horses 


EVANGELINE 


59 


Broke  through  their  folds  and  fences,  and  madly 
rushed  o'er  the  meadows. 


Overwhelmed  with  the  sight,  yet  spefichless,  the 

priest  and  the  maiden 
Gazed  on  the  scene  of  terror  that  reddened  and 

widened  before  them  ; 
And  as  they  turned  at  length  to  speak  to  their 

silent  companion, 
Lol  from  his  seat  he  had  fallen,  and  stretched 

abroad  on  the  sea-shore 
Motionless  lay  his  form,  from  which  the  soul  had 

departed. 
Slowly  the  priest  uplifted  the  lifeless  head,  and  the 

maiden 
Knelt  at  her  father's  side,  and  wailed  aloud  in  her 

terror. 
Then  in  a  swoon  she  sank,  and  lay  with  her  head 

on  his  bosom. 
Through  the  long  night  she  lay  in  deep,  oblivious 

slumber ; 
And  when  she  awoke  from  the  trance,  she  beheld 

a  multitude  near  her. 
Faces  of  friends  she  beheld,  that  were  mournfully 

gazing  upon  her. 
Pallid,  with  tearful  eyes,  and  looks  of  saddest  com- 
passion. 
Still  the  blaze  of  the  burning  village  illumined  the 

landscape. 
Reddened  the  sky  overhead,  and  gleamed  on  the 

faces  around  her. 
And  like  the  day  of  doom  it  seemed  to  her  waver- 
ing senses. 


60 


EVANGELINE 


li 


Then  a  familiar  voice  she  heard,  as  it  said  to  the 

people,  — 
"  Let  us  bury  him  here  by  the  sea.     When  a  hap- 
pier season 
Brings  us  again  to  our  homes  from  the  unknown 

land  of  our  exile, 
Then  shall  his  sacred  dust  be  piously  laid  in  the 

churchyard.'' 
Such  were  the  words  of  the  priest.     And  there  in 

haste  by  the  sea-side, 
Having  the  glare  of  the  burning  village  for  funeral 

torches. 
But  without  bell  or  book,  they  buried  the  farmer 

of  Grand-Prd. 
And  as  the  voice  of  the  priest  repeated  the  service 

of  sorrow, 
Lo !  with  a  mournful  sound,  like  the  voice  of  a  vast 

congregation. 
Solemnly  answered  the  sea,  and  mingled  its  roar 

with  the  dirges. 
'T  was  the  returning  tide,  that  afar  from  the  waste 

of  the  ocean. 
With  the  first  dawn  of  the  day,  came  heaving  and 

hurrying  landward. 
Then  recommenced  once  more  the  stir  and  noise  of 

embarking ; 
And  with  the  ebb  of  the  tide  the  ships  sailed  out 

of  the  harbor. 
Leaving  behind  them  the  dead  on  the  shore,  and 

the  village  in  ruins. 

Line  14.    And  with  tbe  ebb  of  tbat  tide  the  ships  sailed  out  of  the  harbor, 


EVAJSGELINE 


61 


PART  THE  SECOND. 

I. 

Many  a  weary  year  had  passed  since  the  burning 
of  Grand-Prd, 

When  on  the  falling  tide  the  freighted  vessels  de- 
parted, 

Bearing  a  nation,  with  all  its  household  gods,  into 
exile. 

Exile  without  an  end,  and  without  an  example  in 
story. 

Far  asunder,  on  separate  coasts,  the  Acadians 
landed ; 

Scattered  were  they,  like  flakes  of  snow,  when  the 
wind  from  the  northeast 

Strikes  aslant  through  the  fogs  that  darken  the 
Banks  of  Newfoundland. 

Friendless,  homeless,  hopeless,  they  wandered  from 
city  to  city. 

From  the  cold  lakes  of  the  North  to  sidtry  South- 
ern savannas,  — 

From  the  bleak  shores  of  the  sea  to  the  lands  where 
the  Father  of  Waters 

Seizes  the  hills  in  his  hands,  and  drags  them  down 
to  the  ocean. 

Deep  in  their  sands  to  bury  the  scattered  bones  of 
the  mammoth. 

Friends  they  sought  and  homes;  and  many,  de- 
spairing, heart-broken. 

Asked  of  the  earth  but  a  grave,  and  no  longer  a 
friend  nor  a  fireside. 


62 


EVANGELINE 


\  I 


« 


Written  their  history  stands  on  tabiets  of  stone  in 

the  cliurchyards. 
Long  among  them  was  seen  a  maiden  who  waited 

and  wandered, 
Lowly  and  meek  in  spiiit,  and  patiently  suffering 

all  things. 
Fair  was  she  and  young :  bat,  alas  I  before  her  ex- 
tended. 
Dreary  and  vast  and  silent,  the  desert  of  life,  witli 

its  pathway 
Marked  by  the  graves  of  those  who  had  sorrowed 

and  sr..^erei  before  her, 
Passions  long  extinguished,  and  hopes  long  de£:d 

and  abandoned. 
As  the  emigrant's  wa  '  o'er  the  Western  desert  is 

marked  by 
Camp-fires  long  consumed,  and  bones  that  oleach 

in  the  sunshine. 
Something  there  was  in  her  life  incomplete,  im- 
perfect, unfinished ; 
As  if  a  morning  of  June,  with  all  its  music  and 

sunshine, 
Suddenly  paused  in  the  sky,  and,  fading,  slowly 

descended 
Into  the  east  again,  from  whence  it  late  had  arisen. 
Sometimes  she  lingered  in  towns,  till,  urged  by  the 

fever  within  her. 
Urged  by  a  restless  longing,  the  hunger  and  thirst 

of  the  spirit. 
She  would  commence  again  her  endless  search  and 

endeavor ; 
Sometimes  in  churchyards  stra^'ed,  and  gazed  on 

the  crosses  and  tombstones. 


EVANGELINE 


ea 


Sat  by  some  nameless  grave,  and  thought  that  per- 
haps in  its  bosom 
He  was  already  at  rest,  and  she  longed  to  slumber 

beside  him. 
Sometimes   a  rumor,  a  hearsay,  an   inarticulate 

whisper, 
Came  with  its  airy  hand  to  point  and  beckon  her 

forward. 
Sometimes  she  spake  with  those  who  had  seen  her 

beloved  and  known  him, 
But  it  was  long  ago,  in  some  far-off  place  or  for- 
gotten. 
"  Gabriel  Lajeunesse !  "  they  said ;  "  Oh  yes  !  we 

have  seen  him. 
He  was  with  Basil  the  blacksmith,  and  both  have 

gone  to  the  prairies  ; 
Coureurs-des-Bois  are  they,  and  famous  hunters 

and  trappers." 
"  Gabriel  Lajeunesse!  "  said  others ;  "  Oh  yes !  we 

have  seen  him. 
He  is  a  Voyageur  in  the  lowlands  of  Louisiana." 
Then  would  they  say,  "  Dear  child !  why  dream 

and  wait  for  him  longer  ? 
Are  there  not  other  youths  as  fair   as   Gabriel? 

others 
Who  have  hearts  as  tender  and  true,  and  spirits 

as  loyal  ? 
Here  is  Baptiste  Leblanc,  the  notary's  son,  who 

has  loved  thee 
l^.Iany  a  tedious  year ;   come,  give  him  thy  hand 

and  be  happy ! 
Thou  art  too  fair  to  be  left  to  braid  St.  Catherine's 

tresses." 


64 


EVANGELINE 


Then  would  Evangeline  answer,  serenely  but  sadly, 

"  1  cannot ! 
Whither  my  Jieart  has   gone,  there  follows   my 

hand,  and  not  elsewhere. 
}^ov  when  the  heart  goes  before,  like  a  lamp,  and 

illumines  the  pathway, 
Many  things  are  made  clear,  that  else  lie  hidden  in 

darkness." 
Thereupon  the  priest,  her  friend  and  father-con- 
fessor, 
Said,  with  a  smile,  "  O  daughter  1  thy  God  thus 

speaketh  within  thee  I 
Talk  not  of  wasted  affection,  affection  never  was 

wasted ; 
If  it  enrich  not  the  heart  of  another,  its  waters, 

returning 
Back  to  their  springs,  like  the  rain,  shall  fill  them 

full  of  refreshment ; 
*f\\iii  which  the  fountain  sends  forth  returns  again 

to  the  fountain. 
Patience ;   acM'.omplish  thy  labor ;   accomplish  thy 

work  of  affection  ! 
Sorrow  and  silence  are  strong,  and  patient  endur- 
ance is  godlike. 
Therefore  accomplish   thy  labor  of   love,  till  the 

heart  is  made  godlike, 
Purified,    strengthened,    perfected,   and    rendered 

more  worthy  of  heaven  I  " 
Cheered  by  the   good   man's   words,    Evangeline 

labored  and  waited. 
Still  in  her  lieart  she  heard  the  funeral  dirge  of 

the  ocean. 
But  with  its  sound  there  was  mingled  a  voice  that 

whispered,  "  Despair  not !  " 


EVANGELINE 


65 


Thus  did  that  poor  soul  waudor  in  want  and  cheer- 
less discomfort, 

Bleeding,  bu  ^efootcd,  over  the  shards  and  thorns 
of  existence. 

Lot  me  essay,  O  Muse !  to  follow  the  wanderer's 
footsteps ;  — 

Not  through  each  devious  path,  each  changeful 
year  of  existence, 

Rut  as  a  traveller  follows  a  streamlet's  course 
through  the  valley : 

Far  from  its  margin  at  times,  and  seeing  the  gleam 
of  its  water 

Here  and  there,  in  some  open  space,  and  at  inter- 
vals only ; 

Then  drawing  nearer  its  banks,  through  sylvan 
glooms  that  conceal  it. 

Though  he  behold  it  not,  he  can  hear  its  con- 
tinuous murmur ; 

Happy,  at  length,  if  he  find  the  spot  where  it 
reaches  an  outlet. 


li 


^^ 


n. 

It   wa*   the   month   of    May.      Far   down   the 

L^autiful  River, 
Past  the  Ohio  shore  and  past  the  mouth  of   the 

Wabash, 
Into   the  gcylden   stream   of   the  broad  and  swift 

Mississippi, 
Floated   a    cumbrous   boat,    that   was   rowed   by 

Acadian  boatmen. 
It  was  a  band  of  exiles  ;  a  raft,  as  it  were,  from 

the  shipwrecked 


66 


EVANGELINE 


Nation,  scattered  along  the  coast,  now  floating  to- 
gether. 
Bound  by  tho  bonds  of  a  common  belief  and  a 

common  misfortune ; 
Men  and   women  and  children,  who,  guided  by 

hoi)e  or  by  hearsay, 
Sought  for  their  kith  and  their  kin  among  the  few- 
acred  farmers 
On  the   Acadian  coast,  and  the  prairies  of  fair 

Opclousas. 
With  them  Evangeline  went,  and  her  guide,  the 

Father  Felician. 
Onward  o'er  sunken  sands,  through  a  wilderness 

sombre  with  forests, 
Day  after  day  they  glided  adown   the  turbulent 

river ; 
Night  after  night,  by  their  blazing  fires,  encamped 

on  its  borders. 
Now  through  rushing  chutes,  among  green  islands, 

where  plumelike 
Cotton-trees   nodded  their  shadowy  crests,  they 

swept  with  the  current. 
Then  emerged  into  broad  lagoons,  where  silvery 

sand-bars 
Lay  in  the  stream,  and  along  the  wimpling  waves 

of  their  margin, 
Shining  with  snow-white  plumes,  large  flocks  of 

pelicans  waded. 
Level  the  landscape  grew,  and  along  the  shores  of 

the  river. 
Shaded  by  china-trees,  in  the  midst  of  luxuriant 

gardens, 
Stood  the  houses  of  planters,  with  negro-cabins  and 

dove-cots. 


EVANGELINE 


67 


They  were  approaching  the  region  where  reigns 
pcrpetuul  sununer^ 

Where  through  the  Golden  Coast,  and  groves  of 
orange  and  citron, 

Sweeps  with  majestic  curve  the  river  away  to  the 
eastward. 

They,  too,  swerved  from  their  course ;  and,  enter- 
ing the  Bayou  of  Plaquemine, 

Soon  were  lost  in  a  maze  of  sluggish  and  devious 
waters. 

Which,  like  a  network  of  steel,  extended  in  every 
direction. 

Over  their  heads  the  towering  and  tenebrous  boughs 
of  the  oy press 

Met  in  a  dusky  arch,  and  trailing  mosses  in  mid- 
air 

Waved  like  banners  that  hang  on  the  waUs  of 
ancient  cathedrals. 

Deathlike  the  silence  seemed,  and  unbroken,  save 
by  the  herons 

Home  to  their  roosts  in  the  cedar-trees  returning 
at  sunset. 

Or  by  the  owl,  as  he  greeted  the  moon  with  de- 
moniac laughter. 

Lovely  the  moonlight  was  as  it  glanced  and  gleamed 
on  the  water. 

Gleamed  on  the  columns  of  cypress  and  cedar  sus- 
taining the  arches, 

Down  through  whose  broken  vaults  it  fell  as 
through  chinks  in  a  ruin. 

Dreamlike,  and  indistinct,  and  strange  were  all 
things  around  them ; 

And  o'er  their  spirits  there  came  a  feeling  of 
wonder  and  sadness,  — 


i 


I 


V.\ 


i 


^ 


il 


«t 


%:, 


68 


EVANGELINE 


Strange  forebodings  of  ill,  unseen  and  that  cannot 

be  compassed. 
As,  at  the  tramp  of  a  horse's  hoof  on  the  turf  of 

the  prairies, 
Far  in  advance  are  closed  the  leaves  of  the  shrink- 
ing mimosa, 
So,  at  the  hoof-beats  of  fate,  with  sad  forebodings 

of  evil, 
Shrinks  and  closes  the  heart,  ere  the  stroke  of 

doom  has  attained  it. 
But  Evangeline's  heart  was  sustained  by  a  vision, 

that  faintly- 
Floated  beforo   her  eyes,  and   beckoned   her   on 

through  the  moonlight. 
It  was  the  thought  of  her  brain  that  assumed  the 

shape  of  a  phantom. 
Throug)i  those  shadowy  aisles  had  Gabriel  wa»i- 

dered  before  her, 
And  every  stroke  of  the  oar  now  brought  him 

nearer  and  nearer. 


Then  in  his  place,  at  the  prow  of  the  boat,  rose 

one  of  the  oarsmen. 
And,  as  a  signal  sound,  if  others  like  them  perad- 

venture 
Sailed  on  those  gloomy  and  midnight  streams,  blew 

a  blast  on  liis  bugle. 
Wild  through  the  dark  colonnades  and  corridors 

leafy  the  blast  rang, 
Breaking  the  seal  of  silence,  and  giving  tongues  to 

the  forest. 
Soundless  above  them  the  banners  of  moss   just 

stirred  to  the  music. 


EVANGELINE 


69 


Multitudinous  echoes  awoke  and  died  in  the  dis- 
tance. 

Over  L  le  watery  floor,  and  beneath  the  reverberant 
bran'jhes  ; 

But  not  a  voice  replied ;  no  answer  came  from  the 
darkness ; 

And,  when  the  echoes  had  ceased,  like  a  sense  of 
pain  was  the  silence. 

Then  Evangeline  slept ;  but  the  boatmen  rowed 
through  the  midnight, 

Silent  at  times,  then  singing  familiar  Canadian 
boat-songs, 

Such  as  they  sang  of  old  on  their  own  Acadian 
rivers. 

While  through  the  night  were  heard  the  mysteri- 
ous sounds  of  the  desert. 

Far  off,  —  indistinct,  —  as  of  wave  or  wind  in  the 
forest, 

Mixed  with  the  whoop  of  the  crane  and  the  roar  of 
the  grim  alligator. 


1 


Thus  ere  another  noon  they  emerged  from  the 
shades ;  and  before  them 

Lay,  in  the  golden  sun,  the  lakes  of  the  Atcha- 
falaya. 

Water-lilies  in  myriads  rocked  on  the  slight  undu- 
lations 

Made  by  the  passing  oars,  and,  resplendent  in 
beauty,  the  lotus 

Lifted  her  golden  crown  above  the  heads  of  the 
boatmen. 


Lino  C.    Silent  at  times,  and  then  singing  familiar  Canadian  b<Mt-8ongs, 

Line  8.    And  through  the  night  were  Le^krd  the  mysterious  sounds  of 
the  deHert, 


70 


EVANGELINE 


Faint  was  the  air  with  the  odorous  breath  of  mag- 
nolia blossoms, 
And  with  the  heat  of  noon ;  and  nmnberless  sylvan 

islands, 
Fragrant  and  thickly  embowered  with  blossoming 

hedges  of  roses, 
Near  to  whose  shores  they  glided  along,  invited  to 

slimiber. 
Soon  by  the  fairest  of  these  their  weary  oars  were 

suspended. 
Under  the  boughs  of  Wachita  willows,  that  grew 

by  the  margin, 
Safely  their  boat  was  moored ;  and  scattered  about 

on  the  greensward. 
Tired  with  their  midnight  toil,  the  weary  travellers 

slumbered. 
Over  them  vast  and  high  extended  the  cope  of  a 

cedar. 
Swinging  from  its  great  arms,  the  trumpet-flower 

and  the  grapevine 
Hung  their  ladder  of  ropes  aloft  like  the  ladder  of 

Jacob, 
On  whose  pendulous  stairs  the  angels  ascending, 

descending. 
Were  the  swift  humming-birds,  that  flitted  from 

blossom  to  blossom. 
Such  was  the  vision  Evangeline  saw  as  she  slum- 
bered beneath  it. 
Filled  was  her  heart  with  love,  and  the  dawn  of  an 

opening  heaven 
Lighted  her  soul  in  sleep  with  the  glory  of  regions 

celestial. 


Nej 

Darte( 

Urged 

Northv 

At  the 

Dark  ai 

Somewi 

V 

Gabriel 

a 

Sought  i 

sc 

Swiftly  t 

is 

But  by  t 

pi 
So  that 

C( 

All  undis 
sel 

Angel  off 
be 

Swiftly  i\ 

01 

After  the 


As  from 


EVANGELINE 


71 


Nearer,  and  ever  nearer,  among  the  numberless 
ijlands, 

Darted  a  light,  swift  boat,  that  sped  away  o'er  the 
water, 

Urged  on  its  course  by  the  sinewy  arms  of  hunters 
and  trappers. 

Northward  its  prow  was  turned,  to  the  land  of  the 
bison  and  beaver. 

At  the  helm  sat  a  youth,  with  countenance  thought- 
ful and  careworn. 

Dark  and  neglected  locks  overshadowed  his  brow, 
and  a  sadness 

Somewhat  beyond  his  years  on  his  face  was  legibly 
written. 

Gabriel  was  it,  who,  weary  with  waiting,  unhappy 
and  restless. 

Sought  in  the  Western  wilds  oblivion  of  self  and  of 
sorrow. 

Swiftly  they  glided  <Uong,  close  under  the  lee  of  the 
island. 

But  by  the  opposite  bank,  and  behind  a  screen  of 
palmettos. 

So  that  they  saw  not  the  boat,  where  it  lay  con- 
cealed in  the  willows ; 

All  undisturbed  by  the  dash  of  their  oars,  and  un- 
seen, were  the  sleepers. 

Angel  of  God  was  there  none  to  awaken  the  slum- 
bering maiden. 

Swiftly  they  glided  away,  like  the  shade  of  a  cloud 
on  the  prairie. 

After  the  sound  of  their  oars  on  th*^  tholes  had  died 
in  the  distance. 

As  from  a  magic  trance  the  sleepers  awoke,  and  the 
maiden 


;j 


li 


72 


EVANGELINE 


Said  with  a  sigh  to  the  friendly  priest,  "  O  Father 
Felician ! 

Something  says  in  my  heart  that  near  me  Gabriel 
wanders. 

Is  it  a  foolish  dream,  an  idle  and  vague  supersti- 
tion? 

Or  has  an  angel  passed,  and  revealed  the  truth  to 
my  spirit?" 

Then,  with  a  blush,  she  added,  "  Alas  for  r^-v  cred- 
ulous fancy ! 

Unto  ears  like  thine  such  words  as  these  have  no 
meaning." 

But  made  answer  the  reverend  man,  and  he  smiled 
as  he  answered,  — 

"  Daughter,  thy  words  are  not  idle ;  nor  are  they 
to  me  without  meaning. 

Feeling  is  deep  and  still ;  and  the  word  that  floats 
on  the  surface 

Is  as  the  tossing  buoy,  that  betrays  where  the  an- 
chor is  hidden. 

Therefore  trust  to  thy  heart,  and  to  what  the  world 
calls  illusions. 

Gabriel  truly  is  near  thee ;  for  not  far  away  to  the 
southward, 

On  the  banks  of  the  TSclie,  are  the  tens  of  St. 
Maur  and  St.  Martin. 

There  the  long-wandering  bride  s'  all  be  given  again 
to  her  bridegroom, 

Tu^re  the  long-absent  pastor  regain  his  flock  aid 
his  sheepfold. 

Beautiful  is  the  land,  with  its  prairies  and  forests 
of  fruit-trees ; 

Under  the  feet  a  garden  of  flowers,  and  the  bluest 
of  heavens 


EVANGELIiiJ^ 


78 


Bending  above,  and  resting  its  dome  on  the  walls 

of  the  forest. 
They  who  dwell  there  have  named  it  the  Eden  of 

Louisiana ! " 


With  these  words  of  cheer  they  arose  and  con- 
tinued their  journey. 
Softly  the  evening  came.     The  sun  from  the  west- 
ern horizon 
Like  a  magician  extended  his  golden  wand  o'er  the 

landscape ; 
Twinkling  vapors  arose;  and  sky  and  water  and 

forest 
Seemed  all  on  iire  at  the  touch,  and  melted  and 

mingled  together. 
Hanging  between  two  skies,  a  cloud  with  edges  of 

silver. 
Floated  the  boat,  with  its  dripping  oars,  on  the 

motionless  water. 
Filled  was  Evangeline's  heart  with  inexpressible 

sweetness. 
Tonahed  by  the  magic  spell,  the  sacred  fountains 

of  feeling 
Glowed  with  the  light  of  love,  as  the  skies  and 

waters  around  her. 
Then  from  a  neighboring  thicket  the  mocking-bird, 

wildest  of  singers. 
Swinging  aloft  on  a  willow  spray  that  hung  o'er 

the  water, 
Shook  from  his  little  tiiroat  such  floods  of  delirious 

music, 
That  the  whole  air  and  the  woods  and  the  waves 

seemed  silent  to  listen. 


I 


74  EVANGELINE 

Plaintive  at  first  were  the  tones  and  sad:  then 
soaring  to  madness 

Seemed  they  to  follow  or  guide  the  revel  of  fren- 
zied Bacchantes. 

Single  notes  were  then  heard,  in  sorrowful,  low 
lamentation ; 

Till,  having  gathered  them  all,  he  flung  them  abroad 
in  derision. 

As  when,  after  a  storm,  a  gust  of  wind  through  the 
tree-tops 

Shakes  down  the  rattling  rain  in  a  crystal  shower 
on  the  branches. 

With  such  a  prelude  as  this,  and  hearts  that 
throbbed  with  emotion, 

Slowly  they  entered  the  Teche,  where  it  flows 
through  the  green  Opelousas, 

And,  through  the  amber  air,  above  the  crest  of  the 
woodland, 

Saw  the  column  of  smoke  that  arose  from  a  neigh- 
boring dwelling ;  — 

Sounds  of  a  horn  they  heard,  and  the  distant  low- 
ing of  cattle. 


III. 

Near  to  the  bank  of  the  river,  o'ershadowed  by 

oaks,  from  whose  branches 
Garlands  of  Spanish  moss  and  of  mystic  mistletoe 

flaunted. 
Such  as  the  Druids  cut  down  with  golden  hatchets 

at  Yide-tide, 
Stood,  secluded  and  still,  the  house  of  the  herdsman. 

A  garden 

Line  3.    Tlien  aiugle  notes  were  heard,  iu  sorrowful,  low  lamentation  ; 


EVANGELINE 


76 


Girded  it  round  about  with  a  belt  of  luxuriant 

blossoms, 
Filling  the  air  with  fragrance.     The  house  itself 

was  of  timbers 
Hevm  from  the  cypress-tree,  and  carefully  fitted 

together. 
Large  and  low  was  the  roof ;  and  on  slender  col- 
umns supported, 
Kose-wreathed,  vine-encircled,  a  broad  and  spacious 

veranda, 
Haunt  of  the  humming-bird  and  the  bee,  extended 

around  it. 
At  each  end  of  the  house,  amid  the  iiowers  of  the 

garden. 
Stationed  the  dove-cots  were,  as  love's  perpetual 

symbol, 
Scenes  of  endless  wooing,  and  endless  contentions 

of  rivals. 
Silence  reigned  o'er  the  place.    The  line  of  sliac'ow 

and  sunshine 
Ran  near  the  tops  of  the  trees ;  but  the  house  itself 

was  in  shadow. 
And  from  its  chimney-top,  ascending  and  slowly 

expanding 
Into  the  evening  air,  a  thin  blue  column  of  smoke 

rose. 
In  the  rear  of  the  house,  from  the  garden  gate,  ran 

a  pathway 
Through  the  great  groves  of  oak  to  the  skirts  of  the 

limitless  prairie. 
Into  whose  sea  of  flowers  the  sun  was  slowly  de- 
scending. 
Full  in  his  track  of  light,  like  ships  with  shadowy 

canvas 


70 


EVANGELINE 


Hanging  loose  from  their  spars  in  a  motionless 

calm  in  the  tropics, 
Stood  a  cluster  of  trees,  with  tangled  cordage  of 

giape-vines. 


Just  where  thi;  woodlands  met  the  flowery  surf 
of  the  pi'airie, 
Mounted  upon  his  horse,  with  Spanish  saddle  and 

-  irrup.« 
^'a.t  a  l}Cyd:^ri.»;4Vi,  anayed  ii.  gaiter?   and  doublet  of 

Broad  anti  ,  .owi  '  as  the  face  that  from  under  the 

Spanish  somb.ero 
Gazed  on  tlie  peaceful  scene,  with  the  lordly  look  of 

its  master. 
Round  about  him  were  numberless  herds  of  kine, 

that  were  grazing 
Quietly  in  the  meadows,  and  breathing  the  vapory 

freshness 
That  uprose  from  the  river,  and  spread  itself  over 

the  landscape. 
Slowly  lifting  the  horn  that  hung  at  his  side,  and 

expanding 
Fully  his  broad,  deep  chest,  he  blew  a  blast,  that 

resounded 
Wildly  and  sweet  and  far,  through  the  still  damp 

air  of  the  evening. 
Suddenly  out  of  the  grass  the  long  white  horns  of 

the  cattle 
Rose  like  flakes  of  foam  on  the  adverse  currents 

of  ocean. 
Silent  a  moment  they  gazed,  then  bellowing  rushed 

o'er  the  prairie. 

Line  2.    Stood  a  cluster  of  cotton-treea,  with  cordage  of  grape-vinuB. 


EVANGELINE 


77 


And  the  whole  mass  became  a  cloud,  a  shade  m 
the  distance. 

Then,  as  the  herdsman  turned  to  t)ie  house,  through 
the  gate  of  the  garden 

bv  .'  he  the  forms  of  tue  priest  and  the  maiden  ad- 
vancing tc  meet  him. 

Sr  Jder^''  down  from  his  horse  he  sprang  in  amaze- 
ment, and  forward 

Kushed  with  '^xff  Jed  arms  and  exclamations  of 
wonder ; 

When  they  beheld  his  face,  they  recognized  Basil 
the  Blacksmith. 

Hearty  his  welcome  was,  as  he  led  his  guests  to  the 
garden. 

There  in  an  arbor  of  roses  with  endless  question 
and  answer 

Gave  they  vent  to  their  hearts,  and  renewed  their 
friendly  embraces, 

Laughing  and  weeping  by  turns,  or  sitting  silent 
and  thoughtful. 

Thoughtful,  for  Gabriel  came  not ;  and  now  dark 
doubts  and  misgivings 

Stole  o*er  the  maiden*s  heart ;  and  Basil,  some- 
what embarrassed. 

Broke  the  silence  and  said,  "  If  you  came  by  the 
Atchafalaya, 

How  have  you  nowhere  encountered  my  Gabriel's 
boat  on  the  bayous  ?  " 

Over  Evangeline's  face  at  the  words  of  Basil  a 
shade  passed. 

Tears  came  into  her  eyes,  and  she  said,  with  a 
tremulous  accent, 

"  Gone  ?  is  Gabriel  gone  ?  "  and,  concealing  her 
face  on  his  shoulder. 


;  1 


78 


EVANGELINE 


fi 


All  her  o'crburdened  heart  gave  way,  and  she  wept 

and  lamented. 
Then  the  j^ood  IJasil   said, — and  his  voice  grew 

blithe  as  he  said  it,  — 
"  Be  of  good  cheer,  my  child ;  it  is  only  to-day  he 

departed. 
Foolish  boy  1  he  has  left  me  alone  with  my  herds 

and  my  horses. 
Moody  and  restless  grown,  and  tried  and  troubled, 

his  spirit 
Could  no  longer  endure  the  calm  of  this  quiet  ex- 
istence. 
Thinking  ever  of  thee,  uncertain  and  sorrowful 

ever, 
Ever  silent,   or   speaking  only  of  thee  and  his 

troubles, 
lie  at  length  had  become  so  tedioua  to  men  and  to 

maidens. 
Tedious  even  to  me,  that  at  length  I  bethought  me, 

and  sent  him 
Unto  the  town  of  Adayes  to  trade  for  mules  with 

the  Spaniards. 
Thence  he  will  follow  the  Indian  trails  to  tho 

Ozark  Mountains, 
Hunting  for  furs  in  the  forests,  on  rivers  trapping 

the  beaver. 
Therefore  be  of  good  cheer ;   we  will  follow  the 

fugitive  lover  ; 
He  is  not  far  on  his  way,  and  the  Fates  and  the 

streams  are  against  him. 
Up  and  away  to-morrow,  and  through  the  red  dew 

of  the  morning 
We  will  follow  him  fast,  and  bring  him  back  to  his 

prison." 


EVANGELINE 


19 


Then  glad  voicoH  were  heard,  and  up  from  the 

banks  of  the  river, 
Dome  aloft  on  Iiih  comrades'  arms,  came  Michael 

the  fiddler. 
Long  under  Bii.sirs  roof  had  he  lived  like  a  god  on 

Olympus, 
Having   no   other  care   than  dispensing  music  to 

mortals. 
Far   renowned   was   he  for  his   silver  locks   and 

his  fiddle. 
"Long   live    Michael,"    they   cried,   "our  bravo 

Acadian  minstrel ! " 
As  they  bore  him  aloft  in  triumphal  procession ; 

and  straightway 
Father  Felician  advanced  with  Evangeline,  greet- 
ing the  old  man 
Kindly  and  oft,  and  recalling  the  past,  while  Basil, 

enraptured. 
Hailed  with  hilarious  joy  his  old  companions  and 

gossips. 
Laughing  loud  and  long,  and  embracing  mothers 

and  daughters. 
Much  tliey  marvelled  to  see  the  wealth  of  the  ci- 
devant  blacksmith, 
All  his  domains  and  his  herds,  and  his  patriarchal 

demeanor ; 
Much  they  marvelled  to  hear  his  tales  of  the  soil 

and  the  climate. 
And  of  the  prairies,  whose  numberless  herds  were 

his  who  would  take  them  ; 
Each  one  thought  in  his  heart,  that  he,  too,  would 

go  and  do  likewise. 
Thus  they  ascended  the  steps,  and   crossing  the 

breezy  veranda, 


80 


EVANGELINE 


w 


Entered  the  hall  of  the  house,  where  already  the 

Huppcr  of  Basil 
Waited   his   late    return ;    and  they   rested  and 

feasted  together. 

Over  the  joyous  feast  the  sudden  darkness  de- 
scended. 

All  was  silent  without,  and,  illuming  the  landscape 
with  silver, 

Fair  rose  the  dewy  moon  and  the  myriad  stars ; 
but  within  doors. 

Brighter  than  these,  slumo  the  faces  of  friends  in 
the  glimmering  lamplight. 

Then  from  his  station  aloft,  at  the  head  of  the  ta- 
ble, the  herdsman 

Poured  forth  his  heart  and  his  wine  together  in 
endless  profusion. 

Lighting  his  pipe,  that  was  filled  with  sweet  Nat- 
chitoches tobacco, 

Thus  he  spake  to  his  guests,  who  listened,  and 
smiled  as  they  listened  :  — 

"  Welcome  once  more,  my  friends,  who  long  have 
been  friendless  and  homeless, 

Welcome  once  more  to  a  home,  that  is  better  per- 
chance than  the  old  one ! 

Here  no  hungry  winter  congeals  our  blood  like  the 
rivers ; 

Here  no  stony  ground  provokes  the  wrath  of  the 
farmer. 

Smoothly  the  ploughshare  runs  through  the  soil,  as 
a  keel  through  the  water. 

All  the  year  round  the  orange-groves  are  in  blos- 
som ;  and  grass  grows 


EVANGELINE 


81 


More  in  a  single  night  than  a  whole   Canadian 

summer. 
Here,   too,  numberless  hord.H  run   wild   and   un- 
claimed in  the  prairies  ; 
llerOf  too,  lands  may  be  had  for  the  asking,  and 

forests  of  timber 
With  a  few  blows  of  the  axo  are  hewn  and  framed 

into  houses. 
After  your  houses  are  built,  and  your  fields  are 

yellow  with  harvests, 
No  King  George  of  England  shall  drive  you  away 

from  your  homesteads. 
Burning  your  dwellings  and  l)arns,  and  stealing 

your  farms  and  your  ciattle." 
Speaking  these  words,  he  blew  a  wrathful  eloud 

from  his  nostrils, 
While  his  huge,  brown   hand  came   thundering 

down  on  the  table. 
So  that  the  guests  all  started ;  and  Father  Feli- 

cian,  astounded. 
Suddenly  paused,  with  a  pinch  of  snuff  half-way 

to  his  nostrils. 
But  the  brave  Basil  resumed,  and  his  words  were 

milder  and  gayer  :  — 
"  Only  beware  of  the  fever,  my  friends,  beware  of 

the  fever  I 
For  it  is  not  like  that  of  our  cold  Acadian  climate. 
Cured  by  wearing  a  spider  hung  round  one's  neck 

in  a  nutshell ! " 
Then  there  were  voices  heard  at  the  door,  and 

footsteps  .  pproaching 
Sounded   upon   th<-   stairs   and   the  floor   of   the 

breezy  veranda. 

Line  9.  And  hU  huge,  brawny  hand  came  thuudoring  dowu  on  the  table, 


82 


EVANGELINE 


It  was  tho  ncijjfhboring  CreoU's  and  Hmall  Acadian 

planters, 
Who  li:ul  been  sunnnoned  all  to  the  house  of  Basil 

the  ilei'dsnian. 
Merry  the  nun^ting  was  of  ancient  comrades  and 

nrJf;liliors  : 
Friend  clasped  friend  in  his  arms ;  and  they  who 

before  were  as  stranp'rs, 
Meeting  in  exile,  became  straightway  as  friends  to 

each  other, 
Drawn  by  the  gentle  bond  of  a  connnon  country 

together. 
But  in  the  neighboring  hall  a  strain  of  music,  pro- 
ceeding 
From  the  accordant  strings  of  Michael's  melodious 

fiddle. 
Broke  u])  all  further  speech.     Away,  like  chihlrcn 

delighted, 
All  things  forgotten  lK»side,  they  gave  themselves 

to  the  maddening 
Whirl  of  the  giddy  dance,  as  it  8wei)t  and  swayed 

to  the  music, 
Dreandike,  with  beanung  eyes  and  the  rush  of 

fluttering  garments. 


Meanwhile,  apart,  at  the  head  of  the  hall,  tho 

priest  and  the  herdsman 
Sat,  conversing  together  of  past  and  present  and 

futiu'e  ; 
While  Evangeline  stood   like  one  entrtineed,  for 

within  her 
Olden  memories  rose,  and  loud  in  the  midst  of  the 

music 


EVANGELINE 


83 


Heard  she  tho  houihI  of  the  sea,  jiiul  an  irreprcHsi- 

blo  HiulnoHs 
Came  o'er  her  heart,  and  unseen  she  stole  forth 

into  tlie  garden. 
Ik'autiful  was  the  night.     Ikihind  the  hhuk  wall 

of  tlu^  forest, 
Tipping  its  summit  with  silver,  arose  the  moon. 

On  the  river 
Fell  here  and  there  through  the  hranelios  a  ti'emu- 

lous  gleam  of  the  nuxmlight, 
Like  tho  sweet  thoughts  of  love  on  a  darkened  and 

devious  s))irit. 
Nearer  and  round  about  her,  the  manifold  tiowers 

of  the  garden 
Poured  out  their  souls  in   odors,  that  were  thc'ir 

prayers  and  eonfessions 
Unto  the  night,  :is  it  went  its  way,  like  a  silent 

Carthusian. 
FiUler  of  fragrance  than  they,  and  as  heavy  with 

shadows  and  night-<l(;ws. 
Hung  the  heart  of  the  maiden.     The  calm  and  the 

magical  moonliglit 
Seemed  to  inundate  her  soul  with  indefinable  long- 
ings, 
As,   through   the   garden-gate,   and    beneath   the 

shade  of  the  oak-trees, 
Piissed  she  along  the  j)ath  to  the  edge  of  the  nu^as- 

iireless  ])rairie. 
Silent  it  lay,  with  a  silvery  haze  ujmn  it,  and  fire- 
Hies 


Line  13.  At,  through  the  gardeu  gate,  bvueath  the  brovni  ahadu  of  tht  uitk- 
trees, 


84 


EVANGELINE 


Gleamed  and  floated  away  in  mingled  and  infinite 

numbers. 
Over  her  head  the  stars,  the  thoughts  of  God  in 

the  heavens, 
Shone  on  the  eyes  of  man,  who  had  ceased  to  mar- 
vel and  worship. 
Save  when  a  blazing  comet  was  seen  on  the  walls 

of  that  temple. 
As  if  a  hand  had  appeared  and  written  upon  them, 

"  Upharsin." 
And  the  soul  of  the  maiden,  between  the  stars  and 

the  fire-flies, 
Wandered  alone,  and  she  cried,  "  O  Gabriel !    O 

my  beloved  I 
Art  thou  so  near  unto  me,  and  yet  I  cannot  behold 

thee? 
Art  thou  so  near  unto  me,  and  yet  thy  voice  does 

not  reach  me  ? 
Ah !  how  often  thy  feet  have  trod  this  path  to  the 

prairie  I 
Ah !  how  often  thine  eyes  have   looked  on   the 

woodlands  around  me ! 
Ah !  how  often  beneath  this  oak,  returning  from 

labor, 
TIiou  hast  lain  down  to  rest,  and  to  dream  of  me 

in  thy  slumbers  I 
Wlicn   shall  these   eyes    behold,   these   arms   be 

folded  about  thee  ?  " 
Loud  and  sudden  and  near  the  notes  of  a  whip- 

poorwill  sounded 

Linn  1.  GI<Muniii((  and  ttouliiiR  away  in  mingled  and  infinite  nunil)era. 
Liuu  15.  Loud  and  Huddun  and  nuur  thu  uuto  of  a  whlppoorwiU  Bouude*! 


EVANGELINE 


85 


Like  a  flute  in  the  woods  •  and  anon,  through  the 

neighboring  thickets, 
Farther  and  farther  away  it  floated  and  dropped 

into  silence. 
"  Patience !  "   whispered   the  oaks  from  oracular 

caverns  of  darkness : 
And,  from  the  moonlit  meadow,  a  sigh  rcs})onded 

"  To-morrow !  " 


Bright  rose  the  sun  next  day  ;  and  all  the  flow- 
ers of  the  garden 

Bathed  his  shining  feet  witli  their  tears,  and 
anointed  his  tresses 

With  the  delicious  balm  that  they  bore  in  their 
vases  of  ciystal. 

"  Farewell !  "  said  the  ]>riest,  as  he  stood  at  the 
shadowy  threshold ; 

"  See  that  you  bring  us  the  Prodigal  Son  from  his 
fasting  and  famine, 

And,  too,  the  Foolish  Virgin,  who  Hlci)t  when  the 
bridegroom  was  coming." 

"  Farewell !  "  answered  the  maiden,  and,  smiling, 
with  Basil  descended 

Down  to  the  river's  brink,  where  the  boatmen  al- 
ready were  waiting. 

Thus  beginning  their  journey  with  moraing,  and 
sunshine,  and  gladness, 

Swiftly  they  followed  the  flight  of  him  who  was 
speeding  before  them, 

Blown  by  the  blast  of  fate  like  a  dead  leaf  over 
the  desert. 

Not  that  day,  nor  the  next,  nor  yet  the  day  that 
succeeded. 


\A 


i 

f 


86 


EVAWGELLVE 


Found  they  the  trace  of  his  course,  in  lake  or 

fori'st  or  river, 
Nor,  after  many  days,  had  they  found  him ;  but 

vague  and  uncertain 
Kumors  alone  were   their  guides  through  a  wild 

and  desolate  country  ; 
Till,   at  the  little   inn   of  the  Spanish   town  of 

Adayes, 
Weary  and  worn,  they  alighted,  and  learned  from 

the  garrulous  hmdlord. 
That  on  the  day  before,  with  horses  and  guide  <  and 

companions, 
Gabriel  left  the  village,  and  took  the  road  of  the 

prairies. 

IV. 

Far  in  tlie  West  there  lies  a  desert  land,  where 

the  mountains 
Lift,   tlirough   perpetual   snows,   their   h>fty   and 

luminous  summits. 
Down  from  their  jagged,  deep  ravines,  where  the 

gorge,  like  a  gateway. 
Opens  a  passage  rude  to  the  wheels  of  the  emis 

grant's  wagon, 
Westward  the  Oregon   flows  and  the   Walleway 

and  Owyiiee. 
Eastward,  with  devious  course,  among  the  Wind- 
river  Mountains, 
Through  the  Sweet-watev  Valley  precipitate  leaps 

the  Nebraska  ; 
And  to  tlie  south,  from  F(mtaine-qui-bout  and  the 

Spanish  sierras, 

Line  10.     Down  (rflin  their  deitulnti-,  dm-p  ravineM,  whore  the  gorge,  liict-  ;i 
gftU-way, 


% 


EVANGELINE 


87 


Fretted  with  sands  and  rocks,  and  swept  by  the 

wind  of  the  desert, 
Numberless  torrents,  with  ceaseless  sound,  descend 

to  the  ocean. 
Like   the   great   chords  of   a   harp,  in  loud  and 

solemn  vibrations. 
Sprea<ling  between  these  streams  arc  the  wondrous, 

beautiful  j)rairie8  ; 
Billowy  bays  of  grass  ever  rolling  in  shadow  and 

sunshine, 
Bright  with  luxuriant  clusters  of  roses  and  purple 

amorphas. 
Over  them  wandered  tlie  buffalo  herds,  and  the 

elk  and  the  roebuck  ; 
Over   them   wandered    the   wolves,  and  herds  of 

riderless  horses ; 
Fires  that  blast  and  blight,  and  winds   tliat  are 

weary  with  travel ; 
Over  them  wander  the  scattered  tribes  of  Ishmacl's 

children. 
Staining  the  desei*t  with  blood ;  and  above  their 

terrible  war-trails 
Circles  and  sails   ah)ft,  on  pinions  majestic,  the 

vulture, 
Like  the  implacable  soul  of  a  chieftain  slaughtered 

in  Ijattle, 
By   invisible   stairs    ascending    and    scaling  the 

heavens. 
Here  and  there  rise  smokes  from  the  camps  of 

thes*'  savage  marauders ; 
Here  and  there  rise  groves  from  the  margins  of 

swift-running  rivers  ; 
And  the  grinj,  taciturn  bear,  the  anchorite  monk 

of  the  desert, 


i 


88 


EVANGELINE 


Climbs  down  their  dark  ravines  to  dig  for  roots 

by  the  brook-side, 
And  over  all  is  the  sky,  the  clear  and  crystalline 

heaven, 
Like  the  protecting  hand  of  God  inverted  above 

them. 

Into  this  wonderful  land,  at  the  base  of  the 
Ozark  Mountains, 
Gabriel  far  had  entered,  with  hunters  and  trappers 

behind  him. 
Day   after  day,   with   their   Indian    guides,    the 

maiden  and  Basil 
Follo';;/ed  his  flying  steps,  and  thought  each  day 

to  overtake  him. 
SometimcH  they  saw,   or  tliought   they  saw,  the 

smoke  of  his  camp-fire 
Kise  in  the  morning  air  from  the  distant  plain ; 

but  at  nightfall, 
When  they  had  reached  the  place,  they  found  only 

embers  and  ashes. 
And,  though  their  hearts  were  sad  at  times  and 

their  bodies  were  weary, 
Hope  still  guided  them  on,  as   the   magic   Fata 

Morgana 
Showed  them  her  lakes  of  light,  that  retreated 

and  vanished  before  them. 


Once,  as  they  sat  by  their  evening  fire,  there 

silently  entered 
Into  their  little  camp  an  Indian  woman,    whose 

features 
Wore  dee})  traces  of  sorrow,  and  patience  as  great 

as  her  sorrow. 


EVANGELINE 


80 


She  was  a  Shawnee  woman  returning  home  to  her 

people, 
From  the  far-off  hunting-grounds  of  the  cruel 

Camanches, 
Where  her  Canadian  husband,  a  Coureur-des-Bois, 

had  been  murdered. 
Touched  were  their  hearts  at  her  story,  and  warm- 
est and  friendliest  welcome 
Gave  they,  with  words  of  cheer,  and  she  sat  and 

feasted  among  them 
On  the  buffalo -meat  and  the  venison  cooked  on  the 

embers. 
But  when  their  meal  was  done,  and  Basil  and  all 

his  companions, 
Worn  with  the  long  day's  march  and  the  chase  of 

the  deer  and  the  bison. 
Stretched  themselves   on  the   ground,  and    slept 

where  the  quivering  fire-light 
Flashed  on  their  swarthy  cheeks,  and  their  forn^i 

wrapped  up  in  their  blaukets, 
Then  at  the  door  of  Evangeline's  tent  she  sat  and 

repeated 
Slowly,  with  soft,  low  voice,  and  the  (rharm  of  her 

Indian  accent, 
All  the  tale  of  her  love,  with  its  pleasures,  and 

pains,  and  reverses. 
Much  Evangeline  wept  at  the  tale,  and  to  know 

that  another 
Hapless  heart  like  h(>r  own  had  loved  i.nd   had 

been  disappointed. 
Moved   to  the   depths  of   her   sold   by  pity  and 

woman's  compassion, 
Yet  in  her  sorrow  jdeased  that  one  who  hatl  suf- 
fered was  near  lun*. 


DO 


EVANGELINE 


She  in  turn  related  her  love  and  all  its  disasters. 
Mute  with  wonder  the  Shawnee  sat,  and  when  she 

had  ended 
Still  was  nmto ;  but  at  length,  as  if  a  raj'sterious 

horror 
Passed  tljrou^h  her  brain,  she  spake,  and  reiHjated 

tlie  tahi  of  the  Mowis  ; 
Mowis,  the   bridegroom  of  snow,  who   won   and 

wedded  a  maiden, 
But,  when  the  morning  eanic,  arose  and  passed 

from  the  wigwam, 
Fading  and  iiu'lting  away  and  dissolving  into  the 

sunshine. 
Till  she  beheld  liim  no  more,  though  she  followed 

far  into  the  forest. 
Then,  in  tlios(;  sweet,  low  tones,  that  seemed  like  a 

W(;ird  ineantation. 
Told   she   the  tale  of   the  fair  Lilinau,  who  was 

wooed  by  a  phantom. 
That  through  the  pines  o'er  her  father's  lodge,  in 

tiie  hu.".!;  of  the  twilight. 
Breathed  like  the  evening  wind,  and  whispered 

love  to  the  maiden. 
Till   she   followeil  his   green   and  waving  plume 

through  the  forest. 
And  nevermon;  returned,  nor  was  seen  again  by 

her  people. 
Silent  with  wondcsr  and  strange  surprise,  Evange- 
line listened 
To  the  soft  How  of  her  magical  words,  till  the  re- 
gion around  her 
Seemed  like  enchanted  ground,  and  her  swarthy 

guest  the  enchantress. 


SIowl) 


EVANGELINE 


91 


Slowly  over  the  tops  of  the  Ozark  Mountains  the 

moon  rose, 
Lighting   the   little   tent,  and   with  a  mysterious 

.splendor 
Touching  the  sombre  leaves,  and  omhraoing  and 

filling  the  woodland. 
"With  a  delicious  sound  the  brook  rushed  by,  and 

the  branches 
Swayed  and  sighed  overhead  in  scarcely  audible 

whispers. 
Filled  with  the  thoughts  of  love  was  Evangeline's 

heart,  but  a  secret, 
Subtile   sense    civpt   in    of   pain    and    indefinite 

terror. 
As  the  cold,  poisonous  snako  creei>s  into  th<;  nest 

of  the  swallow. 
It  was  no  earthly  fear.     A  bivath  from  the  region 

of  spirits 
Seemed  to  float  in  thi^  aiv  of  night ;  and  she  felt 

for  a  moment 
That,  like  tW  Indian  maid,  she,  too,  was  pursuing 

a  i>haN^^)H. 
"With  this  t)ioug!^t  she  slept,  and  the  fear  and  the 

phhi^Htoiti  had  vanished. 


Early  upon  the  morrow  the  march  was  resumed  ; 

and  the  Shawnee 
Said,  as  they  journeyed  along,   "  On  the  westeni 

slope  of  these  mountains 
l")wi'lls  in   his  little  village  the  Black  Robe  chief 

of  the  Mission. 
Much  he  teaches  the  people,  and  tells  them   of 

Mary  and  Jesus. 


i  I 


02 


EVANaELINE 


Loud  laugh  tlicir  hearts  with  joy,  and  weep  with 
pain,  as  thry  iiear  him." 

Then,  with  a  sudden  and  secret  emotion,  Evange- 
line answered, 

'*  Let  us  go  to  the  Misuiou,  for  there  good  tidings 
await  us ! " 

Thitiier  they  turned  their  stceda ;   and  behind  a 
spur  of  the  mountai.is, 

ffust  as  the  sun  went  down,  they  heard  a  murmur 
of  voi('«'s. 

And  in  a  mcjulow  green  and  broad,  by  the  bank 
of  a  river. 

Saw  the  tents  of  the  Christians,  the  tents  of  the 
Jesuit  Mission. 

Undor  a  towering  oak,  that  stood  in  the  midst  of 
thc!  villaj^o, 

Knelt  the  IMaek  Kobe  chief  with  his  children.     A 
crucifix  fastened 

High  on  the  trunk  of  the  tree,  and  overshadowed 
by  grape-vines. 

Looked  with  its  agonized  face  on  the  multitude 
kneeling  beneath  it. 

This  was  tluur  rural  chapel.     Aloft,  through  the 
intricate  arches 

Of  its  aerial  roof,  arose  the  chant  of  their  ves- 
pers, 

Mingling  its  notes  with  the  soft  susumis  and  sighs 
of  the  branches. 

Silent,  with  heads  uncovered,  the  travellers,  nearer 
approaching. 

Knelt  on  the  swarded  floor,  and  joined  in  the  even- 
ing devotions. 

But  when  the  service  was  done,  and  the  benedic- 
tion had  fallen 


EVANGELINE 


w 


Furth  from  the  IiuikU  of  the  priest,  like  seed  from 

the  hantU  of  the  sower, 
Slowly  the   reverend  man   advanced  to  the  Htran- 

gerH,  and  l):id(>  them 
Welcome ;  and  when  tluy  r(>))lied,  ho  smiled  with 

benignant  expres^.ion, 
Hearing  the  homelike  mmnds  of  his  mother-tongnu 

in  the  forest, 
And,  with  words  of  kindness,  condueted  them  into 

his  wigwam. 
There  upon  mats  and  skins  they  rep<>s«'d,  and  on 

cakes  of  the  maize-ear 
Feasted,  and  slake<l  their  thirst  from  the  water- 
gourd  of  the  teacher. 
Soon  was  their  story  told  :  and  the  priest  witii  so- 

lenmity  answered  :  — 
"  Not  six  suns  have  risen  and  set  since  Gabriel, 

seated 
On   this  nuit  by  my  side,  where  now  the  nuiiden 

re{)oses, 
Tuld  me  this  same  sad  tah; ;  then  arose  anil  eon- 

tiinu^d  his  journey  !  " 
Soft  was  the  voice  of  the  priest,  and  he  spake  with 

an  accent  of  kindness  ; 
Hut  on  Evangeline's  heart  fell  his  words  as  in  win- 
ter the  snow-flakes 
Fall  into  some  lone  nest  from  which  the  birds  have 

departed. 
"  Far  to  the  north  he  luis  gone,"  continued  the 

l)riest ;  "  but  in  autumn. 
When  the  chase  is  done,  will  return  again  to  the 

Mission." 
Then  Evangidine  said,   and  her  voice  was  meek 

and  submissive. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


1^ 


1^ 


12.0 

U    ||||||.6_ 


III 


m 


^ 


/} 


PhotDgraphic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WkaSTER.N.Y.  14S80 

(716)872-4503 


^'  #/.% 


Z 


^ 


^ 


94 


EVANGELINE 


"  Let  11"'^  remain  with  thee,  for  my  soul  is  sad  and 

afflicted." 
So  seemed  it  wise  and  well  unto  all ;  and  betimes 

on  the  morrow, 
Mounting  his  Mexican  steed,  v/ith  his  Indian  guides 

and  companions, 
Homeward  Basil  returned,  and  Evangeline  stayed 

at  the  Mission. 

Slowly,  slowly,  slowly  the  days  succeeded  each 

other,  — 
Days  and  weeks  and  months  ;  and  the  fields  of 

maize  that  were  springing 
Green  from  the  ground  when  a  stranger  she  came, 

now  waving  above  her. 
Lifted  their  slender  shafts,  with  leaves  interlacing, 

and  forming 
Cloisters  for  mendicant  crows  and  granaries  pil- 
laged by  squirrels. 
Then  in  the  golden  weather  the  maize  was  husked, 

and  the  maidens 
Blushed  at  each  blood-red  ear,  for  that  betokened 

a  lover, 
But  at  the  ciooked  laughed,  and  called  it  a  thief  in 

the  corn-field. 
Even  the  blood-red  ear  to  Evangeline  brought  not 

her  lover. 
"  Patience !  "  the  priest  would  say ;  "  have  faith, 

and  thy  prayer  will  be  answered  I 
Look  at  this  vigorous  plant  that  lifts  its  head  from 

the  meadow. 

Line  16.    Look  at  this  delicate  flower  that  lifts  its  head  from  the  meadow, 


EVANGELINE 


95 


See  how  its  leaves  are  turned  to  the  north,  as  true 

as  the  magnet ; 
This  is  the  coiuppss-flower,  that  the  finger  of  God 

has  planted 
Here  in  the  houseless  wild,  to  direct  the  traveller's 

journey 
Over  the  sea-like,  pathless,  limitless  waste  of  the 

desert. 
Such  in  the  soul  of  man  is  faith.    The  blossoms  of 

passion, 
Gay  and  luxuriant  flowers,  are  brighter  and  fuller 

of  fragrance. 
But  they  beguile  us,  and  lead  us  astray,  and  their 

odor  is  deailiy. 
Only  this  humble  plant  can  guide  us  here,  and 

hereafter 
Crown  us  with  asphodel  flowers,  that  are  wet  with 

the  dews  of  nepenthe." 

So  came  the  autumn,  and  passed,  and  the  win- 
ter, —  yet  Gabriel  came  not ; 

Blossomed  the  opening  spring,  and  the  notes  of  the 
robin  and  bluebird 

Sounded  sweet  upon  wold  and  in  wood,  yet  Gabriel 
came  not. 

But  on  the  breath  of  the  sunmier  winds  a  rumor 
was  wafted 

Sweeter  than  song  of  bird,  or  hue  or  odor  of  blos- 
som. 

Far  to  the  north  and  east,  it  said,  in  the  Michigan 
forests, 

Lines  1-3.    See  how  its  leaTes  all  point  to  the  north,  as  true  as  the  magnet ; 
It  is  the  compass-flower,  that  the  finger  of  God  has  suspended 
Here  on  its  fragile  stalk,  to  direct  the  traveller's  journey 


96 


EVANGELINE 


Gabriel  had  his  lodge  by  the  banks  of  the  Saginaw 
Kiver. 

And,  with  returning  guides,  ttat  sought  the  lakes 
of  St.  Lawrence, 

Saying  a  sad  farewell,  Evangeline  went  from  the 
Mission. 

When  over  weary  ways,  by  long  and  perilous 
marches, 

She  had  attained  at  length  the  depths  of  the  Mich- 
igan forests, 

Found  she  the  hunter's  lodge  deserted  and  fallen 
to  ruin ! 

Thus  did  the  long  sad  years  glide  on,  and  in  sea- 
sons and  places 
Divers  and  distant  far  was  seen  the  wandering 

maiden ;  — 
Now  in  the  Tents  of  Grace  of  the  meek  Moravian 

Missions, 
Now  in  the  noisy  camps  and  the  battle-fields  of  the 

army. 
Now  in  secluded  hamlets,  in  towns  and  populous 

cities. 
Like  a  phantom  she  came,  and  passed  away  unre- 

membered. 
Fair  was  she  and  young,  when  in  hope  began  the 

long  journey ; 
Faded  was  she  and  old,  when  in  disappointment  it 

ended. 
Each  succeeding  year  stole  something  away  from 

her  beauty, 
Leaving  behind  it,  broader  and  deeper,  the  gloom 

and  the  shadow. 


EVANGELINE 


97 


Then  there  appeared  and  spread  faint  streaks  of 

gray  o'er  her  forehead, 
Dawn  of  another  life,  that  broke  o'er  her  earthly 

horizon, 
As  in  the  eastern  sky  the  first  faint  streaks  of  the 

morning. 


V. 

In  that  delightful  land  which  is  washed  by  the 
Delaware's  waters, 

Guarding  in  sylvan  shades  the  name  of  Penn  the 
apostle. 

Stands  on  the  banks  of  its  beautiful  stream  the 
city  he  founded. 

There  all  the  air  is  balm,  and  the  peach  is  the  em- 
blem of  beauty. 

And  the  streets  still  reecho  the  names  of  the  trees 
of  the  forest, 

As  if  they  fain  would  appease  the  Dryads  whose 
haunts  they  molested. 

There  from  the  troubled  sea  had  Evangeline  landed, 
an  exile. 

Finding  among  the  children  of  Penn  a  home  and 
a  country. 

There  old  Rend  Leblanc  had  died ;  and  when  he 
departed, 

Saw  at  his  side  only  one  of  all  his  hundred  de- 
scendants. 

Something  at  least  there  was  in  the  friendly 
streets  of  the  city. 

Something  that  spake  to  her  heart,  and  made  her 
no  longer  a  stranger ; 


98 


EVANGELINE 


And  her  ear  was  pleased  with  the  Thee  and  Thou 
of  the  Quakers, 

For  it  recalled  the  past,  the  old  Acadian  country. 

Where  all  men  were  equal,  and  all  were  brothers 
and  sisters. 

So,  when  the  fruitless  search,  the  disappointed  en- 
deavor. 

Ended,  to  recommence  no  more  upon  earth,  un- 
complaining. 

Thither,  as  leaves  to  the  light,  were  turned  her 
thoughts  and  her  footsteps. 

As  from  the  mountain's  top  the  rainy  mists  of  the 


morning 


Roll  away,   and   afar  we   behold  the   landscape 

below  us. 
Sun-illumined,  with  shining  rivers  and  cities  and 

hamlets, 
So  fell  the  mists  from  her  mind,  and  she  saw  the 

world  far  below  her, 
Dark  no  longer,  but  all  illumined  with  love  ;  and 

the  pathway 
Which  she  had  climbed  so  far,  lying  smooth  and 

fair  in  the  distance. 
Gabriel  was  not  forgotten.     Within  her  heart  was 

his  image. 
Clothed  in  the  beauty  of  love  and  youth,  as  last 

she  beheld  him. 
Only  more  beautiful  made  by  his  death-like  silence 

and  absence. 
Into  her  thoughts  of  him  time  entered  not,  for  it 

was  not. 
Over  him  years  had  no  power ;  he  was  not  changed, 

but  transfigured ; 

Line  7.    As  from  a  moimtain's  top  the  rainy  mists  of  the  morning 


EVANGELINE 


99 


He  had  become  to  her  heart  as  one  who  is  dead, 

and  not  absent ; 
Patience  and  abnegation  of  self,  and  devotion  to 

others, 
This  was  the  lesson  a  life  of  trial  and  sorrow  had 

taught  her. 
So  was  her  love  diffused,  but,  like  to  some  odorous 

spices, 
Suffered  no  waste  nor  loss,  though  filling  the  air 

with  aroma. 
Other  hope  had  she  none,  nor  wish  in  life,  but  to 

foUow 
Meekly,  with  reverent  steps,  the  sacred  feet  of  her 

Saviour. 
Thus  many  years  she  lived  as  a  Sister  of  Mercy ; 

frequenting 
Lonely  and  wretched  roofs  in  the  crowded  lanes  of 

the  city, 
Where  distress  aud  want  concealed  themselves 

from  the  sunlight. 
Where  disease  and  sorrow  in  garrets  languished 

neglected. 
Night  after  night,  when  the  world  was  asleep,  as 

the  watchman  repeated 
Loud,  through  the  gusty  streets,  that  all  was  well 

in  the  city. 
High  at  some  lonely  window  he  saw  the  light  of 

her  taper. 
Day  after  day,  in  the  gray  of  the  dawn,  as  slow 

through  the  suburbs 
Plodded  the   German  farmer,  with  flowers   and 

fruits  for  the  market. 
Met  he  that  meek,  pale  face,  returning  home  from 

its  watchings. 


N 


100 


EVANGELINE 


Then  it  came  to  pass  that  a  pestilence  fell  on 

tlie  city. 
Presaged  by  wondrous  signs,  and  mostly  by  flocks 

of  wihl  pigeons, 
Darkening  the  sun  in  their  flight,  with  naught  in 

their  craws  but  an  acorn. 
And,  as  the  tides  of  the  sea  arise  in  the  month  of 

September, 
Flooding  some  silver  stream,  till  it  spreads  to  a 

lake  in  the  meadow, 
So  death  flooded  life,  and,  o'erflowing  its  natural 


margm, 


Spread  to  a  brackish  lake,  the  silver  stream  of  ex- 
istence. 

Wealth  had  no   power   to   bribe,  nor  beauty  to 
charm,  the  oppressor ; 

But  all  perished  alike  beneath  the  scourge  of  his 
anger ;  — 

Only,  alas !  the  poor,  who  had  neither  friends  nor 
attendants. 

Crept  away  to  die  in  the  almshouse,  home  of  the 
homeless. 

Then  in  the  suburbs  it   stood,  in  the  midst   of 
meadows  and  woodlands ;  — 

Now  the  city  surrounds  it ;  but  still,  with  its  gate- 
way and  wicket 

Meek,  in  the  midst  of  splendor,  its  humble  walls 
seem  to  echo 

Softly  the  words  of  the  Lord :     "  The  poor  ye  al- 
ways have  with  you." 

Thither,  by  night  and  by  day,  came  the  Sister  of 
Mercy.     The  dying 

Looked  up  into  her  face,  and  thought,  indeed,  to 
behold  there 


Gleai 

Such 

Or  su( 

Unto  \ 

Into  w] 

Thus 

Wendir 
t 

Sweet  o 

• 

1] 

And  she 

ai 

That  the 

fi 

Then,  asi 

c 
Distant 
tl 

While,  h 

o^ 

Sounds  oi 

tl 

Soft  as  dj 

01 

Somethinl 


arJ 


Line  13. 


EVANGELINE 


101 


Gleams  of  celestial  light  encircle  her  forehead  with 
splendor, 

Such  as  the  artist  paints  o'er  the  brows  of  saints 
and  apostles, 

Or  such  as  hangs  by  night  o'er  a  city  seen  at  a  dis- 
tance. 

Unto  their  eyes  it  seemed  the  lamps  of  the  city 
celestial, 

Into  whose  shining  gates  erelong  their  spirits  would 
enter. 


Thus,  on  a  Sabbath  morn,  through  the  streets, 

deserted  and  silent. 
Wending  her  quiet  way,  she  entered  the  door  of 

the  almshouse. 
Sweet  on  the  summer  air  was  the  odor  of  flowers 

in  the  garden ; 
And  she  paused  on  her  way  to  gather  the  fairest 

among  them. 
That  the  dying  once  more  might  rejoice  in  their 

fragrance  and  beauty. 
Then,  as  she  mounted  the  stairs  to  the  corridors, 

cooled  by  the  east-wind. 
Distant  and  soft  on  her  ear  fell  the  chimes  from 

the  belfry  of  Christ  Church, 
While,  intermingled  with  these,  across  the  mead- 
ows were  wafted 
Sounds  of  psalms,  that  were  sung  by  the  Swedes  in 

their  church  at  Wicaco. 
Soft  as  descending  wings  fell  the  calm  of  the  hour 

on  her  spirit : 
Something  within  her  said,  "  At  length  thy  trials 

are  ended  " ; 

Line  13.    And,  intermingled  with  these,  across  the  meadows  were  wafted 


102 


EVANGELINE 


i 


And,  with  li^lit  in  he)'  looks,  slie  entered  the  cham- 
bers of  sickness. 

Noiselessly  moved  about  the  assiduous,  careful  at- 
tendants, 

Moistening  the  feverish  lip,  and  the  aching  brow, 
and  in  silence 

Closing  the  sightless  eyes  of  the  dead,  and  conceal- 
ing tlieir  faces, 

Where  on  their  pallets  they  lay,  like  drifts  of  snow 
by  the  roadside. 

Many  a  languid  head,  upraised  as  Evangeline  en- 
tered, 

Turned  on  its  pillow  of  pain  to  gaze  while  she 
passed,  for  her  presence 

Fell  on  their  hearts  like  a  ray  of  the  sun  on  the 
walls  of  a  prison. 

And,  as  she  looked  around,  she  saw  how  Death,  the 
consoler, 

Laying  his  hand  upon  many  a  heart,  had  healed  it 
forever. 

Many  familiar  forms  had  disappeared  in  the  night 
time ; 

Vacant  their  places  were,  or  filled  already  by 
strangers. 


Suddenly,  as  if  arrested  by  fear  or  a  feeling  of 
wonder, 

Still  she  stood,  with  her  colorless  lips  apart,  while 
a  shudder 

Ran  through  her  frame,  and,  forgotten,  the  flower- 
ets dropped  from  her  fingers. 

And  from  her  eyes  and  cheeks  the  light  and  bloom 
of  the  morning. 


EVANGELINE 


103 


Then  there  escaped  from  her  lips  a  cry  of  such 

terrible  anguish,  ■    ' 

That  the  dying  heard  it,  and  started  up  from  their 

pillows. 
On  the  j)allet  before  her  was  stretched  the  form  of 

an  old  man. 
Long,  and   thin,  and  gray  were  the  locks   that 

shaded  his  temples  ; 
But,  as  he  lay  in  the  morning  light,  his  face  for  a 

moment 
Seemed  to  assume  once  more  the  forms  of  its  ear- 
lier manhood  ; 
So  are  wont  to  be  changed  the  faces  of  those  who 

are  dying. 
Hot  and  red  on  his  lips  still  burned  the  flush  of  the 

fever. 
As  if  life,  like  the  Hebrew,  with  blood  had  be- 
sprinkled its  portals, 
That  the  Angel  of  Death  might  see  the  sign,  and 

pa&s  over. 
Motionless,  senseless,  dying,  he  lay,  and  his  spirit 

exhausted 
Seemed  to  be  sinking  down  through  infinite  depths 

in  the  darkness, 
Darkness  of  slumber  and  death,  forever  sinking 

and  sinking. 
Then  through  those  realms  of  shade,  in  multiplied 

reverberations, 
Heard  he  that  cry  of  pain,  and  through  the  hush 

that  succeeded 
Whispered  a  gentle  voice,  in  accents  tender  and 

saint-like, 
"  Gabriel !  O  my  beloved !  "   and  died  away  into 

silence. 


' 


104 


EVANGELINE 


Then  he  beheld,  in  a  dream,  once  more  tho  homo 
ol  his  childhood ; 

Green  Acadian  nioadowa,  with  sylvan  rivers  among 
thiMii, 

Village,  and  mountain,  and  woodlands ;  and,  walk- 
ing under  their  shadow, 

As  in  the  days  of  her  youth,  Evangeline  rose  in 
his  vision. 

Tears  came  into  his  eyes ;  and  as  slowly  ho  lifted 
his  eyelids, 

Vanished  the  vision  away,  but  Evangeline  knelt  by 
his  bedside. 

Vainly  ho  strove  to  whisper  her  name,  for  the  ac- 
cents unuttered 

Died  on  his  lips,  and  their  motion  revealed  what 
his  tongue  would  have  spoken. 

Vainly  he  strove  to  rise  ;  and  Evangeline,  kneeling 
beside  him, 

Kissed  his  dying  lips,  and  laid  his  head  on  her 
bosom. 

Sweet  was  the  light  of  his  eyes ;  but  it  suddenly 
sank  into  darkness, 

As  when  a  lamp  is  blown  out  by  a  gust  of  wind  at 
a  casement. 


Meui 


Still  i 

Side  L 

Under 

In  the  ] 


$ai] 


All  was  ended  now,  the  hope,  and  the  fear,  and 

the  sorrow. 
All  the   aching  of  heart,  the  restless,  unsatisfied 

longing, 
All  the  dull,  deep  pain,  and  constant  anguish  of 

patience ! 
And,  as  she  pressed  once  more  the  lifeless  head  to 

her  bosom. 


EVANGELINE 


105 


Meekly   she    bowed    her    own,   and    murmured. 
"  Father   I  thank  thee  !  " 


it 


Still  stands  the  forest  primeval ;  but  far  away 
from  its  shadow, 

Side  by  side,  in  their  nameless  graves,  the  lovers 
are  sleeping. 

Under  the  humble  walls  of  the  little  Catholic 
churehyard, 

In  the  heart  of  the  city,  they  lie,  unknown  and  un- 
noticed. 

Daily  the  tides  of  life  go  ebbing  and  flowing  beside 
them. 

Thousands  of  throbbing  hearts,  where  theirs  are  at 
rest  and  forever. 

Thousands  of  aching  brains,  where  theirs  no  longer 
are  busy. 

Thousands  of  toiling  hands,  where  theirs  have 
ceased  from  their  labors, 

Thousands  of  weary  feet,  where  theirs  have  com- 
pleted their  journey ! 

Still  stands  the  forest  primeval ;  but  under  the 
shade  of  its  branches 

Dwells  another  race,  with  other  customs  and  lan- 
guage. 

Only  along  the  shore  of  the  mournful  and  misty 
Atlantic 

Linger  a  few  Acadian  peasants,  whose  fathers 
from  exile 

Wandered  back  to  their  native  land  to  die  in  its 
bosom. 


106 


EVANGELINE 


In  the  fisherman's  cot  the  wheel  and  the  loom  are 

still  busy ; 
Maidens  still  wear  their  Norman  caps  and  their 

kirtles  of  homespun, 
And  by  the  evening  fire  repeat  Evangeline's  story, 
While   from   its   rocky  caverns    the   deep-voiced, 

neighboring  ocean 
Speaks,  and  in  accents   disconsolate  answers  the 

wail  of  the  forest. 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 

INTRODUCTORY  NOTE. 

Evangeline^  published  in  1847,  was  followed  by 
The  Golden  Legend  in  1851,  and  that  by  Hiaiiaa- 
iha  in  1855.  The  general  purpose  to  make  use  of 
Indian  material  appears  to  have  been  in  the  poet's 
mind  for  some  time,  but  the  conception  as  finally 
wrought  was  formed  in  the  summer  of  1854.  He 
writes  in  his  diary  under  date  of  June  22,  "  I  have 
at  length  hit  upon  a  plan  for  a  poem  on  the  Amer- 
ican Indians,  which  seems  to  me  the  right  one  and 
the  only.  It  is  to  weave  together  their  beautiful 
traditions  into  a  whole.  I  have  hit  upon  a  meas- 
ure, too,  which  I  think  the  right  and  only  one  for 
such  a  theme."  A  few  days  before,  he  had  been 
reading  with  great  delight  the  Finnish  epic  Kale- 
vala,  and  this  poem  suggested  the  measure  and 
may  well  have  reminded  him  also  of  the  Indian 
legends,  which  have  that  likeness  to  the  Finnish 
that  springs  from  a  common  intellectual  stage  of 
development  and  a  general  community  oi  habits 
and  occupation. 

An  interest  in  the  Indians  had  long  been  felt  by 
Mr.  Longfellow,  and  in  his  early  plans  for  prose 
sketches  tales  about  the  Indians  had  a  place.  He 
had  seen  a  few  of  the  .■  traggling  remainder  of  the 
Algonquins  in  Maine,  and  had  read  Heckewelder 


!! 


108 


THE   SONG   OF  HI  A  WA  THA 


while  in  college ;  he  had  witnessed  the  spectacle 
of  Black  Hawk  and  his  Sioux  on  Boston  Common ; 
and  a  few  years  before,  he  had  made  the  acquaint- 
ance of  the  fine-tempered  Kah-ge-ga-gah'bowh,  the 
Ojibway  chief,  and  had  entertained  him  at  his 
house,  trusting  not  unlikely  that  he  might  derive 
from  the  Indian  some  helpful  suggestion. 

No  sooner  had  his  floating  ideas  of  a  work  taken 
shape  than  he  was  eager  to  put  his  plans  into  exe- 
cution. "  I  could  not  help  this  evening,"  he  wrote 
June  25,  "  making  a  beginning  of  Manabozho,  or 
whstever  the  poem  is  to  be  called.  His  adventures 
will  form  the  theme,  at  all  events ;  "  and  the  next 
day ;  "  look  over  Schoolcraft's  great  book  on  the 
Indians  ;  three  huge  quartos,  ill-digested,  and  with- 
out any  index.  Write  a  few  lines  of  the  poem." 
His  PvUthority  for  the  legends  and  the  material  gen- 
er,aily  of  his  poem  was  in  the  main  Schoolcraft's 
work,  with  probably  the  same  author's  more  lit- 
erary composition  Algic  Researches.,  and  Hecke- 
welder's  narrative.  He  soon  took  Manabozho's 
other  and  more  euphonic  name,  Hiawatha,  into 
his  service,  and  gave  himself  up  to  a  thorough  en- 
joyment of  the  task.  "  Worked  at  Hiawatha^'' 
he  wrote  on  the  31st  of  the  month,  "  as  I  do  more 
or  less  every  day.  It  is  purely  in  the  realm  of 
fancy.  After  tea,  read  to  the  boys  the  Indian  story 
of  The  Red  Swan."  *'''  Hiawatha^"  he  wrote  again 
in  October,  "  occupies  and  delights  me.  Have  I 
no  misgivings  about  it?  Yes,  sometimes.  Then 
the  theme  seizes  me  and  hurries  me  away,  and  they 
vanish."  His  misgivings  took  a  concrete  shape  a 
few  days  later,  when  he  read  aloud  to  a  friend  some 


INTRODUCTORY  NOTE 


109 


pages  of  his  work.  "  He  fears  the  poem  will  want 
liuman  interest.  So  does  F.  So  does  the  author. 
I  must  put  a  live,  beating  heart  into  it." 

Mr.  Longfellow  began  writing  Hianmtha,  as  we 
have  seen,  June  25,  1854.  It  was  finished  March 
29,  1855,  and  published  November  10.  It  is 
doubtful  if  the  poet  wrote  any  of  his  longer  works 
with  more  abandonment,  with  more  thorough  en- 
joyment of  his  task,  with  a  keener  sense  of  the 
originality  of  his  venture,  and  by  consequence, 
with  more  perplexity  when  he  thought  of  his  read- 
ers. He  tried  the  poem  on  his  friends  more  freely 
than  had  been  customary  with  him,  and  with  va- 
ried results.  His  own  mind,  as  he  neared  the  test 
of  publication,  wavered  a  little  in  its  moods.  "  Proof 
sheets  of  Hiawatha^''  he  wrote  in  June,  1855.  "  I 
am  growing  idiotic  about  this  song,  and  no  longer 
know  whether  it  is  good  or  bad  ;  "  and  later  still : 
"In  great  doubt  about  a  canto  of  Hiawatha, — 
whether  to  retain  or  suppress  it.  It  is  odd  how 
confused  one's  mind  becomes  about  such  matters 
from  long  looking  at  the  same  subject." 

No  sooner  was  the  poem  published  than  its  pop- 
ularity was  assured,  and  it  was  subjected  to  the 
most  searching  tests.  It  was  read  by  public  read- 
ers to  large  audiences,  and  a  few  years  later  was 
set  to  music  by  Stoepel  and  given  at  the  Bos- 
ton Theatre  with  explanatory  readings  by  Matilda 
Heron.  It  was  parodied,  —  one  of  the  surest  signs 
of  popularity,  and  it  lived  its  parodies  down,  a 
surer  sign  still  of  intrinsic  uncopyableness.  It 
was  criticised  with  heated  words,  and  made  the  oc- 
casion for  controversy.     The  elemental  nature  of 


;  i 


110 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


the  poetry  led  to  vehement  charges  of  plagiarism, 
and  altogether  the  poet  found  himself  in  the  midst 
of  a  violent  war  of  words  which  recalled  his  expe- 
rience with  Hyperion.  He  felt  keenly  the  unrea- 
sonableness of  the  attack  upon  his  honesty  in  the 
charge  that  he  had  borrowed  metre  and  incidents 
both  from  the  Kalevala.  He  made  no  secret  of 
the  suggestion  of  the  metre,  —  he  had  used  an  ac- 
knowledged form,  which  was  not  exclusively  Fin- 
nish ;  and  as  for  the  legends,  he  openly  confessed 
his  indebtedness  to  Schoolcraft  in  the  notes  to 
the  poem.  Keferring  to  an  article  in  a  Washing- 
ton paper,  embodying  these  charges,  he  wrote  to 
Mr.  Sumner,  December  3,  1855 :  — 

This  is  truly  one  of  the  greatest  literary  outrages  I 
ever  heard  of.  But  I  think  it  is  done  mainly  to  show 
the  learning  of  the  writer.  .  .  .  He  will  stand  finally  in 
the  position  of  a  man  who  makes  public  assertions 
which  he  cannot  substantiate.  You  see  what  the  charge 
of  imitation  amounts  to,  by  the  extracts  given.  As  to 
my  having  "  taken  many  of  the  most  striking  incidents 
of  the  Finnish  Epic  and  transferred  them  to  the  Amer- 
ican Indians  "  —  it  is  absurd.  I  can  give  chapter  and 
verse  for  these  legends.  Their  chief  value  is  that  they 
are  Indian  legends.  I  know  the  Kalevala  very  well ; 
and  that  some  of  its  legends  resemble  the  Indian  stories 
preserved  by  Schoolcraft  is  very  true.  But  the  idea  of 
making  me  responsible  for  that  is  too  ludicrous. 

Freiligrath  wrote  to  him  with  reference  to  a  dis- 
cussion going  on  in  the  London  Athenmum  over 
the  metre  :  "  The  very  moment  I  looked  into  the 
book  I  exclaimed,  — 

Launawatar,  Frau  die  alte, 


INTRODUCTORY  NOTE 


111 


and  was  laughing  with  you  again  over  the  pages 
of  the  Finnische  liuncn,  as  thirteen  years  ago  on 
the  Rhine.  The  characteristic  feature,  which  shows 
that  you  have  fetched  the  metre  from  the  Finns,  is 
the  2)aralleUsin  adopted  so  skilfully  and  so  grace- 
fully in  Hiavmthar  In  a  note  in  his  diary  upon 
this  letter,  Mr.  Longfellow  added  :  "He  does  not 
seem  to  be  aware  that  the  parallelism,  or  repeti- 
tion, is  as  much  the  characteristic  of  Indian  as  of 
Finnish  song." 

Freiligrath  translated  Hiawatha^  as  he  had  other 
of  Mr.  Longfellow's  poems,  and  in  acknowledg- 
ing the  receipt  of  the  translation,  the  poet  wrote, 
January  29,  1857  :  — 

It  is  admirable,  this  translation  of  yours,  as  I  knew 
it  would  be  from  the  samples  sent  before.  A  thousand 
and  a  thousand  thanks  for  it,  and  may  Cotta  pay  you, 
as  the  broker  paid  Guzman  de  Alfarache,  in  money 
sahumada,  y  lavada  con  agiia  de  dngeles.  A  passage 
was  changed  in  the  proofs  which  I  sent  to  Bogne  [the 
English  publisher],  and  which  he  promised  to  hand  to 
you.  It  is  in  the  description  of  the  sturgeon.  This 
was  changed  to  — 

As  above  him  Hiawatha 

In  his  birch  canoe  came  sailing, 

With  his  fishing  line  of  cedar,  — 

because  the  sturgeon,  I  found,  was  never  guilty  of  the 
crime  of  frightening  or  eating  his  fellow  fishes.  .  .  . 
What  yo'i  say,  in  the  preface,  of  the  close  of  the  poem 
is  very  true.  The  contact  of  Saga  and  History  is  too 
sudden.  But  how  could  I  remedy  it  unless  I  made  the 
poem  very  much  longer  ?  I  felt  the  clash  and  concus- 
sion, but  could  not  prevent  nor  escape  it. 


112 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


Meanwhile  the  book  had  an  unexampled  sale, 
and  the  letters  which  the  poet  received  from  Em- 
erson, Hawthorne,  Parsons,  Taylor,  and  others 
showed  the  judgment  passed  upon  his  work  by  those 
whose  poetic  perception  was  not  blunted  by  habits 
of  professional  criticism  nor  taken  captive  by  mere 
novelty.  Several  years  after,  a  translation  into 
Latin  of  a  portion  of  the  poem  was  made  for  use 
as  a  school-book,  by  Professor  Francis  W.  New- 
man. A  suggestive  criticism,  by  Dr.  Holmes,  upon 
the  measure  of  the  poem  will  be  found  in  the  notes 
at  the  end  of  this  volume. 


;  ! 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

INTRODUCTION. 

Should  yon  ask  me,  whence  these  stories  ? 
Whence  these  legends  and  traditions, 
With  the  odors  of  the  forest, 
With  the  dew  and  damp  of  meadows. 
With  the  curling  smoke  of  wigwams. 
With  the  rushing  of  great  rivers, 
With  their  frequent  repetitions, 
And  their  wild  reverberations, 
As  of  thunder  in  the  mountains  ? 
I  should  answer,  I  should  tell  you, 

"  From  the  forests  and  the  prairies. 
From  the  great  lakes  of  the  Northland, 
From  the  land  of  the  Ojibways, 
From  the  land  of  the  Dacotahs, 
From  the  mountains,  moors,  and  fen-lands 
Where  the  heron,  the  Shuh-shuh-gah, 
Feeds  among  the  reeds  and  rushes. 
I  repeat  them  as  I  heard  them 
From  the  lips  of  Nawadaha, 
The  musician,  the  sweet  singer." 

Should  you  ask  where  Nawadaha 
Found  these  songs  so  wild  and  wayward, 
Found  these  legends  and  traditions, 
I  should  answer,  I  should  tell  you, 

"  In  the  bird's-nests  of  the  forest, 


It 


114  TUB  SOX  a  OF  HIAWATHA 

In  the  lodges  of  the  beaver, 
In  tlie  hoof-i)rints  of  the  bison, 
In  the  eyiy  of  the  eagle  ! 

"  All  the  wild-fowl  sang  them  to  him, 
In  the  moorlands  and  the  fen-lands, 
In  the  melancholy  marshes  ; 
Chetowaik,  the  plover,  sang  them, 
Mahng,  the  loon,  the  wild-goose,  Wawa, 
The  blue  heron,  the  Shuh-shuh-gah, 
And  the  grouse,  the  Mushkodasa !  " 

If  still  further  you  should  ask  me, 
Saying,  "  Who  was  Nawadaha  ? 
Tell  us  of  this  Nawadaha," 
I  should  answer  your  inquiries 
Straightway  in  such  words  as  follow. 

"  In  the  Vale  of  Tawasentha, 
In  the  green  and  silent  valley. 
By  the  pleasant  water-courses. 
Dwelt  the  singer  Nawadaha. 
Round  about  the  Indian  village 
Spread  the  meadows  and  the  corn-fieldB, 
And  beyond  them  stood  the  forest. 
Stood  the  groves  of  singing  pine-trees, 
Green  in  Summer,  white  in  Winter, 
Ever  sighing,  ever  singing. 

"  And  the  pleasant  water-courses. 
You  could  trace  them  through  the  vaUey, 
By  the  rushing  in  the  Spring-time, 
By  the  alders  in  the  Summer, 
By  the  white  fog  in  the  Autumn, 
Bv  the  black  line  in  the  Winter ; 
And  beside  them  dwelt  the  singer, 
In  the  vale  of  Tawasentha, 
In  the  green  and  silent  valley. 


f|.'  A^ 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


116 


"There  he  sang  of  Hiawatha, 
Sang  the  Song  of  Hiawatha, 
Sang  his  wondrous  birth  and  being, 
How  he  prayed  and  how  he  fasted. 
How  he  lived,  and  toiled,  and  suffered, 
That  the  tribes  of  men  might  pro8i)er, 
That  he  might  advance  his  people  !  " 

Ye  who  love  the  haunts  of  Nature, 
Love  the  sunshine  of  the  meadow, 
Love  the  shadow  of  the  forest. 
Love  the  wind  among  the  branches. 
And  the  rain-shower  and  the    now-storm, 
And  the  rushing  of  great  rivers 
Through  their  palisades  of  pine-trees, 
And  the  thunder  in  the  mountains, 
Whose  innumerable  echoes 
Flap  like  eagles  in  their  eyries ;  — 
Listen  t3  these  wild  traditions. 
To  this  Song  of  Hiawatha  I 

Ye  who  love  a  nation's  legends, 
Love  the  ballads  of  a  people. 
That  like  voices  from  afar  off 
Call  to  us  to  pause  and  listen. 
Speak  in  tones  so  plain  and  childlike, 
Scarcely  can  the  ear  distinguish 
Whether  they  are  sung  or  spoken  ;  — 
Listen  to  this  Indian  Legend, 
To  this  Song  of  Hiawatha  ! 

Ye  whose  hearts  are  fresh  and  simple, 
Who  have  faith  in  God  and  Nature, 
Who  believe,  that  in  all  ages 
Every  human  heart  is  human, 
That  in  even  savage  bosoms 


!i 


116 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATUA 


There  arc  longings,  yearnings,  strivings 
For  tilt!  good  they  comprehend  not, 
That  the  feeble  hands  and  helpless, 
Grojiing  blindly  in  the  darkness, 
Touch  God's  right  hand  in  that  darkness 
And  are  lifted  up  and  strengthened  ;  — 
Listen  to  this  simple  story, 
To  this  Song  of  Hiawatha  I 

Ye,  who  sometimes,  in  your  rambles 
Through  the  green  lanes  of  the  country, 
Wliere  the  tangled  barberry-bushes 
Hang  their  tufts  of  crimson  berries 
Over  stone  walls  gray  with  mosses. 
Pause  by  some  neglected  graveyard, 
For  a  while  to  muse,  and  ponder 
On  a  half-effaced  inscription, 
Written  with  little  skill  of  song-craft, 
Homely  phrases,  but  each  letter 
Full  of  hope  and  yet  of  heart-break, 
Full  of  all  the  tender  pathos 
Of  the  Here  and  the  Hereafter  ;  — 
Stay  and  read  this  rude  inscription. 
Read  this  Song  of  Hiawatha ! 


I. 


THE    PEACE-PIPE. 


On  the  Mountains  of  the  Prairie, 
On  the  great  Red  Pipe-stone  Quarry, 
Gitche  Manito,  the  mighty. 
He  the  Master  of  Life,  descending. 
On  the  red  crags  of  the  quarry 


THE   SONG   OF  III  A  WA  THA 


117 


Stood  en'ct,  and  called  tho  iiatiotifl, 
Called  tiio  tiiluss  of  iiioii  together. 

Froiu  his  fo<)tj)rintH  Howed  a  river, 
Leaped  into  the  light  of  morning, 
O'er  the  precipice  plunging  downward 
Gleamed  like  Ishkoodah,  the  eomet. 
And  the  Spirit,  stooping  earthward, 
With  his  finger  on  the  meadow 
Traced  a  winding  pathway  for  it. 
Saying  to  it,  ''  Kun  in  this  way !  " 

From  the  red  stone  of  the  quarry 
With  his  hand  he  broke  a  fragment. 
Moulded  it  into  a  pipe-head, 
Shaped  and  fashioned  it  with  figures  ; 
From  the  margin  of  the  river 
Took  a  long  reed  for  a  pipe-stem. 
With  its  dark  green  leaves  upon  it ; 
Filled  the  pipe  with  bark  of  willow, 
With  the  bark  of  the  red  willow ; 
Breathed  upon  the  neighboring  forest, 
Made  its  great  boughs  chafe  together. 
Till  in  flame  they  burst  and  kindled  • 
And  erect  upon  the  mountains, 
Gitche  Manito,  the  mighty, 
Smoked  the  calumet,  the  Peace-Pipe, 
As  a  signal  to  the  nations. 

And  the  smoke  rose  slowly,  slowly, 
Through  the  tranquil  air  of  morning. 
First  a  single  line  of  darkness. 
Then  a  denser,  bluer  vapor. 
Then  a  snow-white  cloud  unfolding, 
Like  the  tree-tops  of  the  forest, 
Ever  rising,  rising,  rising. 


118 


THE   SONG  OF  III  A  WA  TIIA 


Till  it  touched  the  top  of  heaven, 
Till  it  broke  against  the  heaven, 
And  rolled  outwjird  all  around  it. 

From  the  Vale  of  Tawasentha, 
From  the  Valley  of  Wycmiing, 
From  the  gi'oves  of  TuscalooHa, 
F'rom  the  far-off  Rocky  Mountains, 
From  the  Northern  lakes  and  rivers 
All  the  tribes  beheld  the  signal, 
Saw  the  distant  smoke  ascending, 
The  l*ukwana  of  the  Peaee-Pipe. 

And  the  Prophets  of  the  nations 
Said  :  "  Behold  it,  the  Pukwana  I 
By  this  signal  from  afar  oif, 
Bending  like  a  wand  of  willow, 
"Waving  like  a  hand  that  beckons, 
Gitche  Manito,  the  mighty. 
Calls  the  tribes  of  men  together. 
Calls  the  warriors  to  his  council !  " 

Down  the  rivers,  o'er  the  prairies, 
Came  the  warriors  of  the  nations. 
Came  the  Delawares  and  Mohawks, 
Came  the  Choctaws  and  Caraanches, 
Came  the  Shoshonies  and  BlacMeet, 
Came  the  Pawnees  and  Omahas, 
Came  the  Mandans  and  Dacotahs, 
Came  the  Hurons  and  Ojibways, 
All  the  warriors  drawn  together 
By  the  signal  of  the  Peace-Pipe, 
To  the  Mountains  of  the  Prairie, 
To  the  great  Red  Pipe-stone  Quarry. 

And  they  stood  there  on  the  meadow, 
With  their  weapons  and  their  war-gear, 


THE  SONG  OF  HI  A  \VA  THA 

Painted  like  the  leaves  of  Autumu, 
Painttid  liko  the  sky  of  morning. 
Wildly  glaring  at  each  other  ; 
In  their  faeeH  Htern  defiance, 
In  their  hearts  the  feuds  of  ages, 
The  hereditary  hatred, 
The  ancestral  thirst  of  vengeance. 

Gitche  Manito,  the  mighty, 
The  creator  of  the  nations, 
Looked  upon  them  with  compassion, 
With  paternal  lovo  and  pity  ; 
Looked  upon  their  wrath  and  wrangling 
But  as  quarrels  among  children. 
But  as  feuds  and  fights  of  children  ! 

Over  them  he  stretched  his  right  hand, 
To  subdue  their  stubborn  natures, 
To  allay  their  thirst  and  fever. 
By  the  shadow  of  his  right  hand ; 
Spake  to  them  with  voice  majestic 
As  the  sound  of  far-off  waters. 
Falling  into  deep  abysses, 
Warning,  chiding,  spake  in  this  wise  :  — 

"  O  my  children !  my  poor  children  I 
Listen  to  the  words  of  wisdom, 
Listen  to  the  words  of  warning. 
From  the  lips  of  the  Great  Spirit, 
From  the  Master  of  Life,  who  made  you  I 

"  I  have  given  you  lands  to  hunt  in. 
I  have  given  you  streams  to  fish  in, 
I  have  given  you  bear  and  bison, 
I  have  given  you  roe  and  reindeer, 
I  have  given  you  brant  and  beaver, 
Filled  the  marshes  full  of  wild-fowl, 


119 


120 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


Filled  the  rivers  full  of  fishes ; 
Why  then  are  you  not  contented  ? 
Why  then  will  you  hunt  each  other  ? 

"  I  am  weary  of  your  quarrels, 
Weary  of  your  wars  and  bloodshed, 
Weary  of  your  prayers  for  vengeance, 
Of  your  wranglings  and  dissensions ; 
All  your  strength  is  in  your  union. 
All  your  danger  is  in  discord ; 
Therefore  be  at  peace  henceforward, 
And  as  brother;^  live  together. 

"  I  will  send  a  Prophet  to  you, 
A  Deliverer  of  the  nations. 
Who  shall  guide  you  and  shall  teach  you, 
Who  shall  toil  and  suffer  with  you. 
If  you  listen  to  his  counsels, 
You  will  multiply  and  prosper ; 
If  his  warnings  pass  unheeded. 
You  wiU  fade  away  and  perish ! 

"  Bathe  now  in  the  stream  before  you. 
Wash  the  war-paint  from  your  faces. 
Wash  the  blood-stains  from  your  fingers. 
Bury  your  war-clubs  anv.  your  weapons. 
Break  the  red  stone  from  this  quarry, 
Mould  and  make  it  into  Peace-Pipes, 
Take  the  reeds  that  grow  beside  you. 
Deck  them  with  your  brightest  feathers, 
Smoke  the  calumet  together, 
And  as  brothers  live  henceforward !  " 

Then  upon  the  ground  the  warriors 
Threw  their  cloaks  and  shirts  of  deer-skin. 
Threw  their  weapons  and  their  war-gear. 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


121 


Leaped  into  the  rushing  river, 
Washed  the  war-paint  from  their  faces. 
Clear  above  them  flowed  the  water, 
Clear  and  limpid  from  the  footprints 
Of  the  Master  of  Life  descending  ; 
Dark  below  them  flowed  the  water, 
Soiled  and  stained  with  streaks  of  crimson, 
As  if  blood  were  mingled  with  it ! 

From  the  river  came  the  warriors, 
Clean  and  washed  from  all  their  war-paint ; 
On  the  banks  their  clubs  they  buried, 
Buried  all  their  warlike  weapons. 
Gitche  Manito,  the  mighty. 
The  Great  Spirit,  the  creator. 
Smiled  upon  his  helpless  children ! 

And  in  silence  all  the  warriors 
Broke  the  red  stone  of  the  quarry. 
Smoothed  and  formed  it  into  Peace-Pipes, 
Broke  the  long  reeds  by  the  river. 
Decked  them  with  their  brightest  feathers, 
And  departed  each  one  homeward, 
While  the  Master  of  Life,  ascending, 
Through  the  opening  of  cloud-curtains, 
Through  the  doorways  of  the  heaven. 
Vanished  from  before  their  faces. 
In  the  smoke  that  rolled  around  him, 
The  Pukwana  of  the  Peace-Pipe ! 


122 


THE  SONQ  OF  HIAWATHA 


II. 


THE   FOUR  WINDS. 


"  Honor  be  to  Mudjekeewis  !  " 
Cried  the  warriors,  cried  the  old  men, 
When  he  came  in  triumph  homeward 
With  the  sacred  Belt  of  Wampum, 
From  the  regions  of  the  North-Wind, 
From  the  kingdom  of  Wabasso, 
From  the  land  of  the  White  Rabbit. 

He  had  stolen  the  Belt  of  Wampum 
From  the  neck  of  Mishe-Mokwa, 
From  the  Great  Bear  of  the  mountains, 
From  the  terror  of  the  nations. 
As  he  lay  asleep  and  cumbrous 
On  the  summit  of  the  mountains. 
Like  a  rock  with  mosses  on  it. 
Spotted  brown  and  gray  with  mosses. 

Silently  he  stole  upon  him 
Till  the  red  nails  of  the  monster 
Almost  touched  him,  almost  scared  him, 
Till  the  hot  breath  of  his  nostrils 
Warmed  the  hands  of  Mudjekeewis, 
As  he  drew  the  Belt  of  Wampum 
Over  the  round  ears,  that  heard  not. 
Over  the  small  eyes,  that  saw  not. 
Over  the  long  nose  and  nostrils. 
The  black  muffle  of  the  nostrils. 
Out  of  which  the  heavy  breathing 
Warmed  the  hands  of  Mudjekeewis. 

Then  he  swung  aloft  his  war-club. 
Shouted  loud  and  long  his  war-cry, 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


123 


Smote  the  mighty  Mishe-Mokwa 
In  the  middle  of  the  forehead, 
Right  between  the  eyes  he  smote  him. 

With  the  heavy  blow  bewildered, 
Rose  the  Great  Bear  of  the  mountains  ; 
But  his  knees  beneath  him  trembled, 
And  he  whimpered  like  a  woman. 
As  he  reeled  and  staggered  forward. 
As  he  sat  upon  his  haunches  ; 
And  the  mighty  Mudjekeewis, 
Standing  fearlessly  before  him, 
Taunted  him  in  loud  derision. 
Spake  disdainfully  in  this  wise  :  — 

"  Hark  you,  Bear  !  you  are  a  coward, 
And  no  Brave,  as  you  pretended  ; 
Else  you  would  not  cry  and  whimper 
Like  a  miserable  woman  ! 
Bear  !  you  know  our  tribes  are  hostile, 
Long  have  been  at  war  together  ; 
Now  you  find  that  we  are  strongest, 
You  go  sneaking  in  the  forest. 
You  go  hiding  in  the  mountains  ! 
Had  you  conquered  me  in  battle 
Not  a  groan  would  I  have  uttered ; 
But  you.  Bear !  sit  here  and  whimper, 
And  disgrace  your  tribe  by  crying, 
Like  a  wretched  Shaugodaya, 
Like  a  cowardly  old  woman !  " 

Then  again  he  raised  his  war-club, 
Smote  again  the  Mishe-Mokwa 
In  the  middle  of  his  forehead. 
Broke  his  skull,  as  ice  is  broken 
When  one  goes  to  fish  in  Winter. 


I 


124 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


Thus  was  slain  the  Mishe-Mokwa, 
He  the  Great  Bear  of  the  mountains, 
He  the  terror  of  the  nations. 

"  Honor  be  to  Mudjekeewis  ! " 
With  a  shout  exclaimed  the  people, 
"  Honor  be  to  Mudjekeewis  ! 
Henceforth  he  shall  be  the  West- Wind, 
And  hereafter  and  forever 
Shall  he  hold  supreme  dominion 
Over  all  the  winds  of  heaven. 
Call  him  no  more  Mudjekeewis, 
Call  him  Kabeyun,  the  West-Wind  I  " 

Thus  was  Mudjekeewis  chosen 
Father  of  the  Winds  of  Heaven. 
For  himself  he  kept  the  West- Wind, 
Gave  the  others  to  his  children  ; 
Unto  Wabun  gave  the  East- Wind, 
Gave  the  South  to  Shawondasee, 
And  the  North-Wind,  wild  and  cruel, 
To  the  fierce  Kabibonokka. 

Young  and  beautiful  was  Wabun ; 
He  it  was  v/ho  brought  the  morning. 
He  it  was  whose  silver  arrows 
Chased  the  dark  o'er  hill  and  valley- ; 
He  it  was  whose  cheeks  were  painted 
With  the  brightest  streaks  of  crimson. 
And  whose  voice  awoke  the  village. 
Called  the  deer,  and  called  the  hunter. 

Lonely  in  the  sky  was  Wabun ; 
Though  the  birds  sang  gayly  to  him. 
Though  the  wild-flowers  of  the  meadow 
Filled  the  air  with  odors  for  him  ; 
Though  the  forests  and  the  rivers 


Ti 
Ti 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 

Sang  and  shouted  at  his  coming, 
Still  his  heart  was  sad  within  him, 
For  he  was  alone  in  heaven. 

But  one  morning,  gazing  earthward, 
While  the  village  still  was  sleeping. 
And  the  fog  lay  on  the  river, 
Like  a  ghost,  that  goes  at  sunrise, 
He  beheld  a  maiden  walking 
All  alone  upon  a  meadow. 
Gathering  water-flags  and  rushes 
By  a  river  in  the  meadow. 

Every  morning,  gazing  earthward. 
Still  the  first  thing  he  beheld  there 
Was  her  blue  eyes  looking  at  him. 
Two  blue  lakes  among  the  rushes. 
And  he  loved  the  lonely  maiden. 
Who  thus  waited  for  his  coming ; 
For  they  both  were  solitary, 
She  on  earth  and  he  in  heaven. 

And  he  wooed  her  with  caresses. 
Wooed  her  with  his  smile  of  sunshine, 
With  his  flattering  words  he  wooed  her, 
With  hi?i  sighing  and  his  singing, 
Gentlest  whispers  in  the  branches, 
Softest  music,  sweetest  odors, 
Till  he  drew  her  to  his  bosom. 
Folded  in  his  robes  of  crimson, 
Till  into  a  star  he  changed  her. 
Trembling  still  upon  his  bosom ; 
And  forever  in  the  heavens 
They  are  seen  together  walking, 
Wabun  and  the  Wabun-Annung, 
Wabun  and  the  Star  of  Morning. 


125 


126 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


But  the  fierce  Kabibonokka 
Had  his  dwelling  among  icebergs, 
In  the  everlasting  snow-drifts, 
In  the  kingdom  of  Wabasso, 
In  the  land  of  the  White  Rabbit. 
He  it  was  whose  hand  in  Autumn 
Painted  all  the  trees  with  scarlet, 
Stained  the  leaves  with  red  and  yellow  ; 
He  it  was  who  sent  the  snow-flakes, 
Sifting,  hissing  through  the  forest, 
Froze  the  ponds,  the  lakes,  the  rivers. 
Drove  the  loon  and  sea-gull  southward. 
Drove  the  cormorant  and  curlew 
To  their  nests  of  sedge  and  sea-tang 
In  the  realms  of  Shawondasee. 

Once  the  fierce  Kabibonokka 
Issued  from  his  lodge  of  snow-drifts, 
From  his  home  among  the  icebergs. 
And  his  hair,  with  snow  besprinkled, 
Streamed  behind  him  like  a  river, 
Like  a  black  and  wintry  river, 
As  he  howled  and  hurried  southward, 
Over  frozen  lakes  and  moorlands. 

There  among  the  reeds  and  rushes 
Found  he  Shingebis,  the  diver. 
Trailing  strings  of  fish  behind  him, 
O'er  the  frozen  fens  and  moorlands, 
Lingering  still  among  the  moorlands. 
Though  his  tribe  had  long  departed 
To  the  land  of  Shawondasee. 

Cried  the  fierce  Kabibonokka, 
"  Who  is  this  that  dares  to  brave  me  ? 
Dares  to  stay  in  my  dominions, 


Fr 
Di 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA  127 

When  the  Wawa  has  departed, 

When  the  wiid-goose  has  gone  southward, 

And  the  heron,  the  Shuh-shuh-ga)i, 

Long  ago  departed  southward  ? 

I  will  go  into  his  wigwam, 

I  will  put  his  smouldering  fire  out !  " 

And  at  night  Kabioonokka 
To  the  lodge  came  wild  and  wailing, 
Heaped  the  snow  in  drifts  about  it. 
Shouted  down  into  the  smoke-flue. 
Shook  the  lodge-poles  in  his  fury. 
Flapped  the  curtain  of  the  door-way. 
Shingebis,  the  diver,  feared  not, 
Shingebis,  the  diver,  cared  not ; 
Four  great  logs  had  he  for  firewood. 
One  for  each  moon  of  the  winter, 
And  for  food  the  fishes  served  him. 
By  his  blazing  fire  he  sat  there, 
Warm  and  merry,  eating,  laughing. 
Singing,  "  O  Kabibonokka, 
You  are  but  my  fellow-mortal !  " 

Then  Kabibonokka  entered. 
And  though  Shingebis,  the  diver, 
Felt  his  presence  by  the  coldness, 
Felt  his  icy  breath,  upon  him. 
Still  he  did  not  cease  his  singing. 
Still  he  did  not  leave  his  laughing. 
Only  turned  the  log  a  little. 
Only  made  the  fire  burn  brighter, 
Made  the  sparks  fly  up  the  smoke-flue. 

From  Kabibonokka's  forehead. 
From  his  snow-besprinkled  tresses. 
Drops  of  sweat  fell  fast  and  heavy, 


*  I 


128 


THE   SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


Making  dints  upon  the  ashes, 

As  along  the  eaves  of  lodges, 

As  from  drooping  boughs  of  hemlock, 

Drips  the  melting  snow  in  spring-time, 

Making  hollows  in  the  snow-drifts. 

Till  at  last  he  rose  defeated, 
Could  not  bear  the  heat  and  laughter, 
Could  not  bear  the  merry  singing, 
But  rushed  headlong  through  the  doorwii-y, 
Stamped  upon  the  crusted  snow-drifts, 
Stamped  upon  the  lakes  and  rivers, 
Made  the  snow  upon  them  harder, 
Made  the  ice  upon  them  thicker, 
Challenged  Shingebis,  the  diver, 
To  come  forth  and  wrestle  with  him. 
To  come  forth  and  wrestle  naked 
On  the  frozen  fens  and  moorlands. 

Forth  went  Shingebis,  the  diver, 
Wrestled  all  night  with  the  North- Wind, 
Wrestled  naked  on  the  moorlands 
With  the  fierce  Kabibonokka, 
Till  his  panting  breath  grew  fainter. 
Till  his  frozen  grasp  grew  feebler. 
Till  he  reeled  and  staggered  backward. 
Arid  retreated,  baffled,  beaten. 
To  the  kingdom  of  Wabasso, 
To  the  land  of  the  White  Kabbit, 
Hearing  still  the  gusty  laughter, 
Hearing  Shingebis,  the  diver. 
Singing,  "  O  Kabibonokka, 
You  are  but  my  fellow-mortal  I  " 

Shawondasee,  fat  and  lazy, 
Had  his  dwelling  far  to  southward. 


THE   SONG   OF  HIAWATHA  129 

In  the  drowsy,  dreamy  sunshine, 

In  the  never-ending  Summer. 

He  it  was  who  sent  the  wood-birds, 

Sent  the  robin,  the  Opechee, 

Sent  the  blue-bird,  the  Owuissa, 

Sent  the  Shawshaw,  sent  the  swallow, 

Sent  the  wild-goose,  Wawa,  northward, 

Sent  the  melons  and  tobacco. 

And  the  grapes  in  purple  clusters. 

From  his  pipe  the  smoke  ascending 
Filled  the  sky  with  haze  and  vapor, 
Filled  the  air  with  dreamy  softness. 
Gave  a  twinkle  to  the  water. 
Touched  the  rugged  hills  with  smoothness, 
Brought  the  tender  Indian  Summer 
To  the  melancholy  north-land. 
In  the  dreary  Moon  of  Snow-shoes. 

Listless,  careless  Shawondasee ! 
In  his  life  he  had  one  shadow. 
In  his  heart  one  sorrow  had  he. 
Once,  as  he  was  gazing  northward. 
Far  away  upon  a  prairie 
He  beheld  a  maiden  standing. 
Saw  a  tall  and  slender  maiden 
AU  alone  upon  a  prairie ; 
Brightest  green  were  all  her  garments, 
And  her  hair  was  like  the  sunshine. 

Day  by  day  he  gazed  upon  her, 
Day  by  day  he  sighed  with  passion. 
Day  by  day  his  heart  within  him 
Grew  more  hot  with  love  and  longing 

Line  4.  Sent  the  Opechee,  the  robin, 

Line  17.  In  the  Moon  when  uighta  are  brightest. 


.■i\  i" 


ji 


!^>'. 


P 


130 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


For  the  maid  with  yellow  tresses, 
liut  he  was  too  fat  and  lazy 
To  bestir  himself  and  woo  her. 
Yes,  too  indolent  and  easy 
To  pursue  her  and  persuade  her  ; 
So  he  only  gazed  upon  her, 
Only  sat  and  sighed  with  passion 
For  the  maiden  of  the  prairie. 

Till  one  morning,  looking  northward, 
He  beheld  her  yellow  tresses 
Changed  and  covered  o'er  with  whiteness, 
Covered  as  with  whitest  snow-flakes. 
*'  Ah !  my  brother  from  the  North-land, 
From  the  kingdom  of  Wabasso, 
From  the  land  of  the  White  Rabbit  1 
You  have  stolen  the  maiden  from  me, 
You  have  laid  your  hand  upon  her, 
You  have  wooed  and  won  my  maiden. 
With  your  stories  of  the  North-land  I  '* 

Thus  the  wretched  Shawondasee 
Breathed  into  the  air  his  sorrow  ; 
And  the  South- vVind  o'er  the  prairie 
Wandered  warm  with  sighs  of  passion, 
With  the  sighs  of  Shawondasee, 
Till  the  air  seemed  full  of  snow-flakes. 
Full  of  thistie-down  the  prairie. 
And  the  maid  with  hair  like  sunshine 
Vanished  from  his  sight  forever  ; 
Never  more  did  Shawondasee 
See  the  maid  with  yellow  tresses  I 

Poor,  deluded  Shawondasee ! 
'T  was  no  woman  that  you  gazed  at, 
'T  was  no  maiden  that  you  sighed  for, 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

'T  was  the  prairie  dandelion 
That  through  all  the  dreamy  Summei* 
You  had  gazed  at  with  such  longing, 
You  had  sighed  for  with  such  passion, 
And  had  puffed  away  forever, 
Blown  into  the  air  with  sighing. 
Ah  !  deluded  Shawondasee  ! 

Thus  the  Four  Winds  were  divided ; 
Thus  the  sons  of  Mudjekeewis 
Had  their  stations  in  the  heavens, 
At  the  corners  of  the  heavens  ; 
For  himself  the  West-Wind  only 
Kept  the  mighty  Mudjekeewis. 

III. 

Hiawatha's  childhood. 

Downward  through  the  evening  twilight, 
In  the  days  that  are  forgotten, 
In  the  unremembered  ages, 
From  the  full  moon  fell  Nokomis, 
Fell  the  beautiful  Nokomis, 
She  a  wife,  but  not  a  mother. 

She  was  sporting  with  her  women, 
Swinging  in  a  swing  of  grape-vines, 
When  her  rival  the  rejected, 
Full  of  jealousy  and  hatred. 
Cut  the  leafy  swing  asunder. 
Cut  in  twain  the  twisted  grape-vines, 
And  Nokomis  fell  affrighted 
Downward  through  the  evening  twilight, 
On  the  Muskoday,  the  meadow, 


181 


'-•*««^ 


132 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


R 


Hf 


On  the  prairie  full  of  blossoms 
''  See  I  a  star  falls  I  "  said  tho  people  ; 
"  From  the  sky  a  star  is  falling  1 " 
There  among  tho  ferns  and  mosses, 

There  among  the  prairie  lilies, 

On  tho  Muskoday,  the  meadow, 

In  the  moonlight  and  tho  starlight, 

Fair  Nokomis  bore  a  daughter. 

And  she  called  her  name  Wenonah, 

As  the  first-born  of  her  daughters. 

And  the  daughter  of  Nokomis 

Grew  up  like  the  prairie  lilies, 

Grew  a  tall  and  slender  maiden. 

With  the  beauty  of  the  moonlight, 

With  the  beauty  of  the  starlight. 
And  Nokomis  warned  her  often, 

Saying  oft,  and  oft  repeating, 
"  Oh,  beware  of  Mudjekeewis, 

Of  the  West- Wind,  Mudjekeewis  j 

Listen  not  to  what  he  tells  you  ; 

Lie  not  down  upon  the  meadow, 

Stoop  not  down  among  the  lilies. 

Lest  the  West- Wind  come  and  harm  you !  " 
But  she  heeded  not  the  warning, 

Heeded  not  those  words  of  wisdom, 

And  the  West- Wind  ca^^p  at  evening, 

Walking  lightly  o'er  the  prairie, 

Whispering  to  the  leaves  and  blossoms. 

Bending  low  the  flowers  and  grasses. 

Found  the  beautiful  Wenonah, 

Lying  there  among  the  lilies. 

Wooed  her  with  his  words  of  sweetness. 

Wooed  her  with  his  soft  caresses. 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


188 


Till  Hhe  boro  a  hoii  in  sorrow, 
Boro  u  son  of  love  and  Horrow. 

Thu8  was  born  my  lliuwatha, 
Thus  was  born  tlio  child  of  wonder ; 
But  tho  daughter  of  Nokoniis, 
Hiawatha's  gentle  mother, 
In  her  anguish  died  deserted 
By  the  West-Wind,  false  and  faithless, 
By  the  heartless  Mudjekeewis. 

For  her  daughter  long  and  loudly 
Wailed  and  wept  the  sad  Nokomis ; 
"  Oh  that  I  were  dead  I  "  she  murmured, 
"  Oh  that  I  were  dead,  as  thou  art  I 
No  more  work,  and  no  more  weeping, 
Wahonowin !  Wahonowin  I  " 

By  the  shores  of  Gitche  Gumee, 
By  the  shining  Big-Sea-Water, 
Stood  the  wigwam  of  Nokomis, 
Daughter  of  the  Moon,  Nokomis. 
Dark  behind  it  rose  the  forest. 
Rose  the  black  and  gloomy  pine-trees, 
Eose  the  firs  with  cones  upon  them  ; 
Bright  before  it  beat  the  water, 
Beat  the  clear  and  sunny  water. 
Beat  the  shining  Big-Sea- Water. 

There  the  wrinkled  old  Nokomis 
Nursed  the  little  Hiawatha, 
Rocked  him  in  his  linden  cradle, 
Bedded  soft  in  moss  and  rushes, 
Safely  bound  with  reindeer  sinews ; 
Stilled  his  fretful  wail  by  saying, 
"  Hush !  the  Naked  Bear  will  hear  thee  I  ** 
Lulled  him  into  slumber,  singing, 


lilt. 


134 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


"  Ewa-yea !  my  little  owlet ! 
Who  is  this,  that  lights  the  wigwam  ? 
With  his  great  eyes  lights  the  wigwam  ? 
Ewa-yea !  my  little  owlet !  " 

Many  things  Nokomis  taught  him 
Of  the  stars  that  shine  in  heaven ; 
Showed  him  Ishkoodah,  the  comet, 
Ishkoodah,  with  fiery  tresses  ; 
Showed  the  Death-Dance  of  the  spirits, 
Warriors  with  their  plumes  and  war-clubs, 
Flaring  far  away  to  northward 
In  the  frosty  nights  of  Winter ; 
Showed  the  broad  white  road  in  heaven, 
Pathway  of  the  ghosts,  the  shadows. 
Running  straight  across  the  heavens, 
Crowded  with  the  ghosts,  the  shadows. 

At  the  door  on  summer  evenings 
Sat  the  little  Hiawatha ; 
Heard  the  whispering  of  the  pine-trees, 
Heard  the  lapping  of  the  waters, 
Sounds  of  music,  wjrds  of  wonder  ; 

"  Minne-wawa !  "  said  the  pine-trees, 

"  Mudway-aushka !  "  said  the  water. 
Saw  the  fire-fly,  Wah-wah-taysee, 
Flitting  through  the  dusk  of  evening. 
With  the  twinkle  of  its  candle 
Lighting  up  the  brakes  and  bushes, 
And  he  sang  the  song  of  children, 
Sang  the  song  Nokomis  taught  him : 

"  Wah-wah-taysee,  little  fire-fly. 
Little,  flitting,  white-fire  insect, 
Little,  dancing,  white-fire  creature. 
Light  me  w^ith  your  little  candle, 


Ts 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


135 


(( 


(( 


t( 


Ere  upon  my  bed  I  lay  me, 

Ere  in  sleep  I  close  my  eyelids !  " 

Saw  the  moon  rise  from  the  water 
Rippling,  rounding  from  the  water, 
Saw  the  flecks  and  shadows  on  it. 
Whispered,  "  What  is  that,  Nokomis  ?  " 
And  the  good  Nokomis  answered  : 
Once  a  warrior,  very  angry, 
Seized  his  grandmother,  and  threw  her 
Up  into  the  sky  at  midnight ; 
Right  against  the  moon  he  threw  her ; 
'Tis  her  body  that  you  see  there." 

Saw  the  rainbow  in  the  heaven, 
In  the  eastern  sky,  the  rainbow, 
Whispered,  "  What  is  that,  Nokomis  ?  " 
And  the  good  Nokomis  answered  : 
'T  is  the  heaven  of  flowers  you  see  there  ; 
All  the  wild-flowers  of  the  forest. 
All  the  lilies  of  the  prairie. 
When  on  earth  they  fade  and  perish, 
Blossom  in  that  heaven  above  us." 

When  he  heard  the  owls  at  midnight, 
Hooting,  laughing  in  the  forest. 
What  is  that  ?  "  he  cried  in  terror. 
What  is  that  ?  "  he  said,  «  Nokomis  ?  " 
And  the  good  Nokomis  answered  : 
That  is  but  the  owl  and  owlet. 
Talking  in  their  native  language, 
Talking,  scolding  r*t  each  other." 

Then  the  little  Hiawatha 
Learned  of  every  bird  its  language, 
Learned  their  names  and  all  their  secrets, 
How  they  built  their  nests  in  Summer, 


H 


136 


THE   SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


Where  they  hid  themselves  in  Winter, 
Talked  with  them  whene'er  he  met  them, 
Called  them  "  Hiawatha's  Chickens." 

Of  all  beasts  he  learned  the  language, 
Learned  their  names  and  all  their  secrets, 
How  the  beavers  built  their  lodges, 
Where  the  squirrels  hid  their  acorns. 
How  the  reindeer  ran  so  swiftly. 
Why  the  rabbit  was  so  timid, 
Talked  with  them  whene'er  he  met  them, 
Called  them  "  Hiawatha's  Brothers." 

Then  lagoo,  the  great  boaster. 
He  the  marvellous  story-teller, 
He  the  traveller  and  the  talker, 
He  the  friend  of  old  Nokomis, 
Made  a  bow  for  Hiawatha ; 
From  a  branch  of  ash  he  made  it. 
From  an  oak-bough  made  the  arrows. 
Tipped  with  flint,  and  winged  with  feathers, 
And  the  cord  he  made  of  deer-skin. 
Then  h<i  said  to  Hiawatha : 

"  Go,  my  son,  into  the  f  orost. 
Where  the  red  deer  herd  together, 
Kill  for  us  a  famous  roebuck. 
Kill  for  us  a  deer  with  antlers !  " 

Forth  into  the  forest  straightway 
All  alone  walked  Hiawatha 
Proudly,  with  his  bow  and  arrows ; 
And  the  birds  sang  round  him,  o'er  him, 

"  Do  not  shoot  us,  Hiawatha !  " 
Sang  the  robin,  the  vOpechee, 
Sang  the  bluebird,  the  Owaissa, 

"  Do  not  shoot  us,  Hiawatha  1  " 

Liue  31.    Sang  the  Opechee,  the  robin, 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


137 


Up  the  oak-tree,  close  beside  him, 
Sprang  the  squirrel,  Adjidaumo, 
In  and  out  among  the  branches. 
Coughed  and  chattered  from  the  oak-tree. 
Laughed,  and  said  between  his  laughing, 
*'  Do  not  shoot  me,  Hiawatha !  " 

And  the  rabbit  from  his  pathway- 
Leaped  aside,  and  at  a  distance 
Sat  erect  upon  his  haunches, 
Half  in  fear  and  half  in  frolic, 
Saying  tc  the  little  hunter, 
"  Do  not  shoot  me,  Hiawatha !  " 

But  he  heeded  not,  nor  heard  them. 
For  his  thoughts  were  with  the  red  deer ; 
On  their  tracks  his  eyes  were  fastened, 
Leading  downward  to  the  river. 
To  the  ford  across  the  river. 
And  as  one  in  slumber  walked  he. 

Hidden  in  the  alder-bushes. 
There  he  waited  till  the  deer  came, 
Till  he  saw  two  antlers  lifted. 
Saw  two  eyes  look  from  the  thicket, 
Saw  two  nostrils  point  to  windward, 
And  a  deer  came  down  the  pathway, 
Flecked  with  leafy  light  and  shadow. 
And  his  heart  within  him  fli  .ttered. 
Trembled  like  the  leav-^s  above  him. 
Like  the  birch-leaf  palpitated, 
As  the  deer  came  down  the  pathway. 

Then,  upon  one  knee  uprising, 
Hiawatha  aimed  an  arrow  ; 
Scarce  a  twig  moved  with  his  motion, 
Scarce  a  leaf  was  stirred  or  rustled, 


« 


h 


138  THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

But  the  wary  roebuck  started, 
Stamped  with  all  his  hoofs  together, 
Listened  with  one  foot  uplifted, 
Leaped  as  if  to  meet  the  arrow ; 
Ah  !  the  singing,  fatal  arrow, 
Like  a  wasp  it  buzzed  and  stung  him ! 

Dead  he  lay  there  in  the  forest. 
By  the  ford  across  the  river ; 
Beat  his  timid  heart  no  longer. 
But  the  heart  of  Hiawatha 
Throbbed  and  shouted  and  exulted, 
As  he  bore  the  red  deer  homeward. 
And  lagoo  and  Nokomis 
Hailed  his  coming  with  applauses. 

From  the  red  deer's  hide  Nokomis 
Made  a  cloak  for  Hiawatha, 
From  the  red  deer's  flesh  Nokomis 
Made  a  banquet  to  his  honor. 
All  the  village  came  and  feasted, 
All  the  guests  praised  Hiawatha, 
Called  him  Strong-Heart,  Soan-ge-taha  I 
Called  him  Loon-Heart,  Mahn-go-taysee  I 


[V. 


HIAWATHA   AND   MUDJEKEEWIS. 

Out  of  childhood  into  manhood 
Now  had  grown  my  Hiawatha, 
Skilled  in  all  the  craft  of  hunters, 
Learned  in  all  the  lore  of  old  men, 
In  all  youthful  sports  and  pastimes, 
In  all  manly  arts  and  labors. 


"I 

S< 
A 
A 

D] 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


139 


Swift  of  foot  was  Hiawatha ; 
He  could  shoot  an  arrow  from  him, 
And  run  forward  with  such  fleetness, 
That  the  arrow  fell  behind  him  I 
Strong  of  arm  was  Hiawatha  ; 
He  could  shoot  ten  arrows  unward. 
Shoot  them  with  such  strength  and  swiftness, 
That  the  tenth  had  left  the  bow-string 
Ere  the  first  to  earth  had  fallen ! 

He  had  mittens,  Minjekahwun, 
Magic  mittens  made  of  deer-skin  ; 
When  upon  his  hands  he  wore  them, 
He  could  smite  the  rocks  asunder. 
He  could  grind  them  into  powder. 
He  had  moccasins  enchanted, 
Magic  moccasins  of  deer-skin  ; 
When  he  bound  them  round  his  ankles, 
When  upon  his  feet  he  tied  them, 
At  each  strida  a  mile  he  measured  ! 

Much  he  questioned  old  Nokomis 
Of  his  father  Mudjekeewis ; 
Learned  from  her  the  fatal  secret 
Of  the  beauty  of  his  mother, 
Of  the  falsehood  of  his  father ; 
And  his  heart  was  hot  within  him. 
Like  a  living  coal  his  heart  was. 

Then  he  said  to  old  Nokomis, 
"  X  will  go  to  Mudjekeewis, 
See  how  fares  it  with  my  father. 
At  the  doorways  of  the  West-Wind, 
At  the  portals  of  the  Sunset  !  " 

From  his  lodge  went  Hiawatha, 
Dressed  for  travel,  armed  for  hunting ; 


|!  I 


140  THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

Dressed  in  deer-skin  shirt  and  leggings, 
Richly  wrought  with  quills  and  wampum  ; 
On  his  head  his  eagle-feathers, 
Bound  his  waist  his  belt  of  wampum, 
In  his  hand  his  Low  of  ash-wood, 
Strung  with  sinews  of  the  reindeer  ; 
In  his  quiver  oaken  arrows. 
Tipped  with  jasper,  winged  with  feathers  ; 
With  his  mittens,  Minjekahwun, 
With  his  moccasins  enchanted. 

Warning  said  the  old  Nokomis, 
"  Go  not  forth,  O  Hiawatha  I 
To  the  kingdom  of  the  West-Wind, 
To  the  realms  of  Mudjekeewis, 
Lest  he  harm  you  with  his  magic. 
Lest  he  kill  you  with  his  cunning  I  " 

But  the  fearless  Hiawatha 
Heeded  not  her  woman's  warning  ; 
Forth  he  strode  into  the  forest, 
At  each  stride  a  mile  he  measured  ; 
Lurid  seemed  the  sky  above  him, 
Lurid  seemed  the  earth  beneath  him, 
Hot  and  (jlose  the  air  around  him. 
Filled  with  smoke  and  fiery  vapors. 
As  of  burning  woods  and  prairies. 
For  his  heart  was  hot  within  him. 
Like  a  living  coal  his  heart  was. 

So  he  journeyed  westward,  westward, 
Left  the  fleetest  deer  behind  him, 
Left  the  antelope  and  bison  ; 
Crossed  the  rushing  Esconaba, 
Crossed  the  mighty  Mississippi, 
Passed  the  Mountains  of  the  Prairie, 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


141 


Passed  the  land  of  Crows  and  Foxes, 
Passed  the  dwellings  of  the  Blaekfeet, 
Came  unto  the  liocky  Mountains, 
To  the  kingdom  of  the  West- Wind, 
Where  upon  the  gusty  summits 
Sat  the  ancient  Mudjekecwis, 
Ruler  of  the  winds  of  heaven. 

Filled  with  awe  was  Hiawatha 
At  the  aspect  of  his  father. 
On  the  air  about  him  wildly 
Tossed  and  streamed  his  cloudy  tresses, 
Gleamed  like  drifting  snow  his  tresses. 
Glared  like  Ishkoodah,  the  comet. 
Like  the  star  with  fiery  tresses. 

Filled  with  joy  was  Mudjekeewis 
When  he  looked  on  Hiawatha, 
Saw  his  youth  rise  up  before  him 
In  the  face  of  Hiawatha, 
Saw  the  beauty  of  Wenonah 
From  the  grave  rise  up  before  him. 

"  Welcome  !  "  said  he,  "  Hiawatha, 
To  the  kingdom  of  the  West- Wind ! 
Long  have  I  been  waiting  for  you  ! 
Youth  is  lovely,  age  is  lonely. 
Youth  is  fiery,  age  is  frosty  ; 
You  bring  back  the  days  departed. 
You  bring  back  my  youth  of  passion. 
And  the  beautiful  Wenonah !  " 

Many  days  they  talked  together. 
Questioned,  listened,  waited,  answered ; 
Much  the  mighty  Mudjekeewis 
Boasted  of  his  ancient  prowess. 
Of  his  perilous  adventures, 


:V 


142 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


His  indomitable  courage, 
His  invulnerable  body. 

Patiently  sat  Hiawathi, 
Listening  to  his  father's  boasting ; 
"With  a  smile  he  sat  and  listened, 
Uttered  neither  threat  nor  menace, 
Neither  word  nor  look  betrayed  him, 
But  his  heart  was  hot  within  him, 
Like  a  living  coal  his  heart  was. 

Then  he  said,  "  O  Mudjekeewis, 
Is  there  nothing  that  can  harm  you  ? 
Nothing  that  you  are  afraid  of  ?  " 
And  the  mighty  Mudjekeewis, 
Grand  and  gracious  in  his  boasting. 
Answered,  saying,  "  There  is  nothing. 
Nothing  but  the  black  rock  yonder, 
Nothing  but  the  fatal  "Wawbeek  I " 

And  he  looked  at  Hiawatha 
With  a  wise  look  and  benignant. 
With  a  countenance  paternal. 
Looked  with  pride  upon  the  beauty 
Of  his  tall  and  graceful  figuie. 
Saying,  "  O  my  Hiawatha  1 
Is  there  anything  can  harm  you  ? 
Anything  you  are  afraid  of  ?  " 

But  the  wary  Hiawatha 
Paused  awhile,  as  if  uncertain. 
Held  his  peace,  as  if  resolving. 
And  then  answered,  "  There  is  nothing. 
Nothing  but  the  bulrush  yonder. 
Nothing  but  the  great  Apukwa  !  " 

And  as  Mudjekeewis,  rising, 
Stretched  his  hand  to  pluck  tb^  bulrush. 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


143 


Hiawatha  cried  in  terror, 
Cried  in  well-dissembled  terror, 
"  Kago !  kago !  do  not  touch  it !  " 
"  Ah,  kaween !  "  said  Mudjekeewis, 
"  No  indeed,  I  will  not  touch  it !  " 

Then  they  talked  of  other  matters  ; 
First  of  Hiawatha's  brothers, 
First  of  Wabun,  of  the  East-Wind, 
Of  the  South- Wind,  Shawondasee, 
Of  the  North,  Kabibonokka  ; 
Then  of  Hiawatha's  mother, 
Of  the  beautiful  Wenonah, 
Of  her  birth  upon  the  meadow, 
Of  her  death,  as  old  Nokomis 
Had  remembered  and  related. 

And  he  cried,  "  O  Mudjekeewis, 
It  was  you  who  killed  Wenonah, 
Took  her  young  life  and  her  beauty, 
Broke  the  Lily  of  the  Prairie, 
Trampled  it  beneath  your  footsteps  ; 
You  confess  it !  you  confess  it !  " 
And  the  mighty  Mudjekeewis 
Tossed  upon  the  wind  his  tresses. 
Bowed  his  hoary  head  in  anguish, 
With  a  silent  nod  assented. 

Then  up  started  Hiawatha, 
And  with  threatening  look  and  gesture 
Laid  his  hand  upon  the  black  rock, 
On  the  fatal  Wawbeek  laid  it, 
With  his  mittens,  Mir  jekahwun, 
Rent  the  jutting  crag  asunder. 
Smote  and  crushed  it  into  fragments. 
Hurled  them  madly  at  his  father, 


144 


THE  SONG  OF  HI  A  WA  Til  A 


The  remorseful  Mudjokeowis, 
For  his  heart  was  hot  within  him, 
Like  a  living  coal  his  heart  was. 

\\\\t  the  ruler  of  the  West-Wind 
Blew  the  fragni<;ntH  backward  from  him, 
With  the  breathing  of  his  nostrils. 
With  the  tempest  of  his  anger, 
Blew  them  back  at  his  assailant ; 
Seized  the  bulrush,  the  Apukwa, 
Dragged  it  with  its  roots  and  fibres 
From  the  margin  of  the  meadow, 
From  i  '^  ooze  the  giant  bulrush  ; 
Long  and  loud  laughed  Hiawatha ! 

Then  began  the  deadly  conflict. 
Hand  to  hand  among  the  mountains  ; 
From  his  eyry  screamed  the  eagle, 
The  Keneu,  the  great  war-eagle. 
Sat  upon  the  crags  around  them, 
Wheeling  flapped  his  wings  above  them. 

Like  a  tall  tree  in  the  tempest 
Bent  and  lashed  the  giant  bulrush ; 
And  in  masses  huge  and  heavy 
Crashing  fell  the  fatal  Wawbeek ; 
Till  the  earth  shook  with  the  tumult 
And  confusion  of  the  battle. 
And  the  air  was  full  of  shoutings. 
And  the  thunder  of  the  mountains. 
Starting,  answered,  "  Baim-wawa !  " 

Back  retreated  Mudjekeewis, 
Rushing  westward  o'er  the  mountains. 
Stumbling  westward  down  the  mountains. 
Three  whole  days  retreated  fighting. 
Still  pursued  by  Hiawatha 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


145 


To  the  doorways  of  tho  West- Wind, 
To  tho  portals  of  the  vSuiisct, 
To  tho  earth's  remotest  border, 
Where  into  tho  empty  spaces 
Sinks  the  sun,  as  a  Hamingo 
Drops  into  her  nest  at  nightfall 
In  the  melancholy  marshes. 

"  Hold  I  "  at  length  cried  Mudjekeewis, 
"  Hold,  my  son,  my  Hiawatha  ! 
'T  is  impossible  to  kill  me. 
For  you  cannot  kill  the  immortal. 
I  have  put  you  to  this  trial. 
But  to  know  and  prove  your  courage  ; 
Now  receive  the  prize  of  valor  ! 

"  Go  back  to  your  home  and  people, 
Live  among  them,  toil  among  them. 
Cleanse  the  earth  from  all  that  harms  it, 
Clear  the  fishing-grounds  and  rivers, 
Slay  all  monsters  and  magicians. 
All  the  Wendigoes,  the  giants, 
All  the  serpents,  the  Kenabeeks, 
As  I  slew  the  Mishe-Mokwa, 
Slew  the  Great  Bear  of  the  mountains. 

"  And  at  last  when  Death  draws  near  you, 
When  the  awful  eyes  of  Pauguk 
Glare  upon  you  in  the  darkness, 
I  will  share  my  kingdom  with  you, 
Ruler  shall  you  be  thenceforward 
Of  the  Northwest- Wind,  Keewaydin, 
Of  the  home-wind,  the  Keewaydin." 

Thus  was  fought  that  famous  battle 
In  the  dreadful  days  of  Shah-shah, 

Line  20.    All  the  giants,  the  Wendigoes, 


ii 


146  THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 

In  the  (lays  lon;^  since  dt'imrted, 
In  the  kiuf^doni  of  the  West-Wind. 
Still  tl:.;  hunter  sees  its  tnices 
Seattered  far  o'er  hill  and  valley  ; 
Sees  the  giant  bulrush  growing 
By  the  ponds  and  water-courses, 
Sees  the  masses  of  the  Wawbeek 
Lying  still  in  every  valley. 

Homeward  now  went  Hiawatha  ; 
Pleasant  was  the  landscape  round  him, 
Pleasant  was  the  air  above  him, 
For  the  bitterness  of  anger 
Had  departed  wholly  from  lil^n. 
From  his  brain  the  thought  of  vc*^(?eance, 
From  his  heart  the  burning  fever. 

Only  once  his  pace  he  slackened. 
Only  once  he  paused  or  halted. 
Paused  to  purchase  heads  of  arrows 
Of  the  ancient  Arrow-maker, 
In  the  land  of  the  Dacotahs, 
Where  the  Falls  of  Minnehaha 
Flash  and  gleam  among  the  oak-trees, 
Laugh  and  leap  into  the  valley. 

There  the  ancient  Arrow-maker 
Made  his  arrow-heads  of  sandstone, 
Arrow-heads  of  chalcedony, 
Arrow-heads  of  flint  and  jasper. 
Smoothed  and  sharpened  at  the  edges. 
Hard  and  polished,  keen  and  costly. 

"With  him  dwelt  his  dark-eyed  daughter, 
Wayward  as  the  Minnehaha, 
With  her  moods  of  shade  and  sunshine. 
Eyes  that  smiled  and  frowned  alternate. 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


147 


Foot,  as  rapid  jis  tho  rivtT, 
TrcHHos  flowing  like  tho  water, 
And  as  musical  a  laughter : 
And  ho  named  her  from  tho  river, 
From  tho  water-fall  ho  named  her, 
Minnehaha,  Laugliing  Water. 

Was  it  then  for  heads  of  arrows, 
Arrow-heads  of  ehalcedony, 
Arr()W-hea<ls  of  flint  and  jasper, 
That  my  Hiawatha  halted 
In  tho  land  of  tho  Dacotahs? 

Was  it  not  to  aeo  tho  maiden. 
See  tho  face  of  Laughing  Water 
Peeping  from  behind  tho  curtain, 
Hear  the  rustling  of  her  garments 
From  behind  the  waving  curtain. 
As  one  sees  the  Minnehaha 
Gleaming,  glancing  through  the  branches, 
As  one  hears  the  Lauyiiing  Water 
From  behind  its  screen  of  branches  ? 

Who  shall  say  what  thoughts  and  visions 
Fill  the  fiery  brains  of  young  men  ? 
Who  shall  say  what  dreams  of  beauty 
Filled  the  heart  of  Hiawatha  ? 
All  he  told  to  old  Nokomis, 
When  he  reached  the  lodge  at  sunset, 
Was  the  meeting  with  his  father. 
Was  his  fight  with  Mudjekeewis  ; 
Not  a  word  he  said  of  arrows, 
Not  a  word  of  Laughing  Water. 


148 

THE  SONG 

OF 
V. 

HIAWATHA 

Hiawatha's 

FASTING. 

m 


\'n 


Yovi  shall  hear  how  Hiawatha 
Prayed  and  fasted  in  the  forest, 
Not  for  greater  skill  in  hunting, 
Not  for  greater  craft  in  fishing, 
Not  for  triumphs  in  the  battle, 
And  renown  among  the  warriors. 
But  for  profit  of  the  people. 
For  advantage  of  the  nations. 

First  he  built  a  lodge  for  fasting, 
Buili;  a  wigwam  in  tiie  forest, 
By  the  shining  Big-Sea- Water, 
In  the  blithe  and  pleasant  Spring-time, 
In  the  Moon  of  Leaves  he  built  it. 
And,  with  dreams  and  visions  many, 
St  7en  whole  days  and  nights  he  fasted. 

On  the  first  day  of  his  fasting 
Through  the  leafy  woods  he  wandered ; 
Saw  the  deer  start  from  the  thicket. 
Saw  the  rabbit  in  his  burrow. 
Heard  the  pheasant,  Bena,  drumming. 
Heard  the  squirrel,  Adjidaumo, 
Battling  in  his  hoard  of  acorns, 
Saw  the  pigeon,  the  Omeme, 
Building  nests  among  the  pine-trees. 
And  in  flocks  the  wild  goose.,  Wawa, 
Flying  to  the  fen-lands  northward, 
Whirring,  wailing  far  above  him. 
"  Master  of  Life !  "  he  cried,  desponding, 
"  Must  our  lives  depend  on  these  things  ?  " 


J      B  rivei  s  brink  he  wandered 

And  ^e  strawberry,  Odal.4 
And  the  goosebcwy,  Shahlom  n 

A^  the  grape-vine,  the  Bemah' t 
Trml,ng  o'er  the  alder-branches 
Mmg  all  the  air  with  f,  "       '  , 
"Master  of  Life   "11     f^Sran"^-' 
"Must  our  lim  de„™V"*'^L'''^'P°''''"S' 

OnthetLTrddTofrf^^^S^^" 
By  the  lake  he  sat  ani        ^""«^ 
Bv  th.  ctn  .  ™  pondered, 

in  h.s  lodge  he  lay  exhausted, 

Grng'':i:rs;''"^*''"'"'--hes 

^uuofrhadotjirff'.. 
0"thedi.y.:^i„r;rd~' 

Andhesawayouthapproaehing, 


149 


m\ 


■|li 


150  THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

Dressed  in  garments  green  and  yellow 
Coming  through  the  purple  twilight, 
Through  the  splendor  of  the  sunset ; 
Plumes  of  green  bent  o'er  his  forehead, 
And  his  hair  was  soft  and  golden. 

Standing  at  the  open  doorway. 
Long  he  looked  at  Hiawatha- 
Looked  with  pity  and  compassion 
On  his  wasted  form  and  features, 
And,  in  accents  like  the  sighing 
Of  the  South- Wind  in  the  tree-tops, 
Said  he,  "  0  my  Hiawatha ! 
All  your  prayers  are  heard  in  heaven, 
For  you  pray  not  like  the  others ; 
Not  for  greater  skill  in  hunting. 
Not  for  greater  craft  in  fishing. 
Not  for  triumph  in  the  battle. 
Nor  renown  among  the  warriors, 
But  for  profit  of  the  people. 
For  advantage  of  the  nations. 

"  From  the  Master  of  Life  descending, 
I,  the  friend  of  man,  Mondamin, 
Come  to  warn  you  and  instruct  you. 
How  by  struggle  and  by  labor 
You  shall  gain  what  you  have  prayed  for. 
Rise  up  from  your  bed  of  branches. 
Rise,  O  youth,  and  wrestlt  with  me  !  " 

Faint  with  famine,  Hiawatha 
Started  from  his  bed  of  branches. 
From  the  twilight  of  his  wigwam 
Forth  into  the  flush  of  sunset 
Came,  and  wrestled  with  Mondamin  ; 
At  his  touch  he  felt  new  courage 


'  1 


THE  SONG  OF  HTA^^r. 
An^  *k       ^       ^^  sunset, 

..|--l».u^„ta:;;- -''Monday,., 
-out  to-morrow,  when  fho  o 

And  he  vanished,  and  ^aLl„„„,. 

Only  saw  that  he  had  vanish;d 
W„.g  h,™  alone  and  faintij, 

And  the  r^ehng  stars  above  him. 
On  the  morrow  and  the  next  day 

Came  M„„d^„i„  for  the  trid 
For  the  strife  with  Hiawatha ; 
Came  as  silent  a.  the  dew  comes 


151 


It 

Ji 


152  THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

From  the  empty  air  appearing, 
Into  empty  air  returning, 
Taking  shape  when  earth  it  touches, 
But  invisible  to  all  men 
In  its  coming  and  its  going. 

Thrice  they  wrestled  there  together 
In  the  glory  of  the  sunset, 
Till  the  darkness  fell  around  them. 
Till  the  heron,  the  Shuh-shuh-gah, 
From  her  nest  among  the  pine-trees, 
Uttered  her  loud  cry  of  famine, 
And  Mondamin  paused  to  listen. 

Tall  and  beautiful  he  stood  there. 
In  his  garments  green  and  yellow ; 
To  and  fro  his  plumes  above  him 
Waved  and  nodded  with  his  breathing, 
And  the  sweat  of  the  encounter 
Stood  like  drops  of  dew  upon  him. 

And  he  cried,  "  O  Hiawatha ! 
Bravely  have  you  wrestled  with  me. 
Thrice  have  wrestled  stoutly  with  me, 
And  the  Master  of  Life,  who  sees  us. 
He  will  give  to  you  the  triumph !  " 

Then  he  smiled,  and  said :  "  To-morrow 
Is  the  last  day  of  your  conflict. 
Is  the  last  day  of  your  fasting. 
You  will  conquer  and  o'ercome  me ; 
Make  a  bed  for  me  to  lie  in, 
Where  the  rain  may  fall  upon  me. 
Where  the  sun  may  come  and  warm  me ; 
Strip  these  garments,  green  and  yellow, 
Strip  this  nodding  plumage  from  me. 

Line  10.    From  her  haunts  among  the  f  en-Unds, 


f'k 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATH I 

Let  not  Kahgahgoe,  the  raven 
Come  to  haunt  nae  and  n,oIest 'n.e 
On  V  come  yourself  to  watch  le 

S    ,::,■;!■"•  ^'"""'--l^uicLn. 
"  i  Jeaj,  into  the  sunshine." 

And  hus  saying,  he  departed  • 

^fr,«^"%  «lep' Hiawatha"  ' 

on°tit:rd:;7hiff r- 

CamewitijfoajS:^-*"'^' 


153 


Br,. 


154  THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

Till  the  heron,  the  Shuh-shuh-gah, 
Crying  from  the  desolate  marshes, 
Tells  us  that  the  day  is  ended." 

Homeward  weeping  went  Nokomis, 
Sorrowing  for  her  Hiawatha, 
Fearing  lest  his  strength  should  fail  him, 
Lest  his  fasting  should  be  fatal. 
He  meanwhile  sat  weary  waiting 
For  the  coming  of  Monuaran, 
Till  the  shadows,  pointing  eastward, 
Lengthened  over  field  and  forest, 
Till  the  sun  dropped  from  the  heaven, 
Floating  on  the  waters  westward, 
As  a  red  leaf  in  the  Autumn 
Falls  and  floats  upon  the  water. 
Falls  and  sinks  into  its  bosom. 

And  behold  !  the  young  Mondamin, 
With  his  soft  and  shining  tresses. 
With  his  garments  green  and  yellow, 
With  his  long  and  glossy  plumage. 
Stood  and  beckoned  at  the  doorway, 
And  as  one  in  slumber  walking, 
Pale  and  haggard,  but  undaunted. 
From  the  wigwam  Hiawatha 
Came  and  wrestled  with  Mondamin. 

Round  about  him  spun  the  landscape, 
Sky  and  forest  reeled  together, 
And  his  strong  heart  leaped  within  him, 
As  the  sturgeon  leaps  and  struggles 
In  a  net  to  break  its  meshes. 
Like  a  ring  of  fire  around  him 
Blazed  and  flared  the  red  horizon. 
And  a  hundred  suns  seemed  looking 
At  the  combat  of  the  wrestlers. 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


155 


Suddenly  upon  the  greensward 
All  alone  8);ood  Hiawatha, 
Panting  with  his  wild  exertion, 
Palpitating  with  the  struggle  ; 
And  before  him  breathless,  lifeless, 
Lay  the  youth,  with  hair  dishevelled, 
Plumage  torn,  and  garments  tattered. 
Dead  he  lay  there  in  the  sunset. 

And  victorious  Hiawatha 
Made  the  grave  as  he  commanded. 
Stripped  the  garments  from  Mondamin, 
Stripped  his  tattered  plumage  from  him. 
Laid  him  in  the  earth,  and  made  it 
Soft  and  loose  and  light  above  him  ; 
And  the  heron,  the  Shuh-shuh-gah, 
From  the  melancholy  moorlands. 
Gave  a  cry  of  lamentation. 
Gave  a  cry  of  pain  and  anguish  ! 

Homeward  then  went  Hiawatha 
To  the  lodge  of  old  Nokomis, 
And  the  seven  days  of  his  fasting 
Were  accomplished  and  completed. 
But  the  place  was  not  forgotten 
Where  he  wrestled  with  Mondamin  ; 
Nor  forgotten  nor  neglected 
Was  the  grave  where  lay  Mondamin, 
Sleeping  in  the  rain  and  sunshine. 
Where  his  scattered  plumes  and  garments 
Faded  in  the  rain  and  sunshine. 

Day  by  day  did  Hiawatha 
Go  to  wait  and  watch  beside  it ; 
Kept  the  dark  mould  soft  above  it, 
Kept  it  clean  from  weeds  and  insects. 


i 


15t>  THE  SON  a  OF  i.'IAWATIIA 

Drove  away,  with  scoffs  i.,nd  shoutings, 
Kahgahgoe,  the  king  of  n.vens. 

Till  at  length  a  small  green  feather 
From  the  earth  shot  slowly  upward, 
Then  another  and  another, 
And  before  the  Summer  ended 
Stood  the  maize  in  all  its  beauty, 
With  its  shining  robes  about  it. 
And  its  long,  soft,  yellow  tresses  ; 
And  in  rapture  Hiawatha 
Cried  aloud,  "It  is  Mondamin  ! 
Yes,  tin;  friend  of  man,  Mondamin  I  " 

TLeii  lie  called  to  old  Nokomis 
And  lagoo,  the  great  boaster, 
Showed  them  where  the  maizo  was  growing, 
Told  them  c '  his  wondrous  vision, 
Of  his  wrestling  aad  his  triumph, 
Of  this  new  j^if t  to  the  nations, 
Which  should  be  their  food  forever. 

And  still  later,  when  the  Autumn 
Changed  the  long,  green  leaves  to  yellow. 
And  the  soft  and  juicy  kernels 
Grew  like  wampum  hard  and  yellow. 
Then  the  ripened  ears  he  gathered. 
Stripped  the  withered  husks  from  off  them, 
As  he  once  had  stripped  the  wrestler, 
Gave  the  first  Feast  of  Mondamin, 
And  made  known  unto  the  people 
This  new  gift  of  the  Great  Spirit. 


P 

S 


A 

a; 


lem, 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA  167 

VI. 

Hiawatha's  friends. 

Two  good  friends  had  Hiawatha, 

Singled  out  from  all  the  others, 

Bound  to  him  in  closest  union. 

And  to  whom  he  gave  the  right  hand 

Of  his  heart,  in  joy  and  sorrow  ; 

Chibiabos,  the  musician. 

And  the  very  strong  man,  Kwasind. 

Straight  between  them  ran  the  pathway, 
Never  grew  the  grass  upon  it ; 
Singing  birds,  that  utter  falsehoods, 
Story-tellers,  mischief-makers, 
Found  no  eager  ear  to  listen. 
Could  not  breed  ill-will  between  them. 
For  they  kept  ea(  Ii  other's  counsel, 
Spake  with  naked  hearts  together. 
Pondering  much  and  much  contriving 
How  the  tribes  of  men  might  prosper. 

Most  beloved  by  Hiawatha 
Was  the  gentle  Chibiabos, 
He  the  best  of  all  musicians, 
He  the  sweetest  of  all  singers. 
Beautiful  and  childlike  was  he. 
Brave  as  man  is,  soft  as  woman. 
Pliant  as  a  wand  of  willow. 
Stately  as  a  deer  with  antlers. 

When  he  sang,  the  village  listened  ; 
All  the  warriors  gathered  round  him. 
All  the  women  came  to  hear  him  ; 
Now  he  stirred  their  souls  to  passion, 
Now  he  melted  them  to  pity. 


168 


rilE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


*. 


From  tho  hollow  reeds  ho  fashioned 
Fhites  so  musical  and  mell(>\v, 
That  the  brook,  the  Sohowisha, 
Ceased  to  inurmur  in  the  woodland, 
That  the  wood-birds  ceased  from  singing. 
And  the  squirrel,  Adjidaunio, 
Ceased  his  chatter  in  the  oak-tree, 
And  the  rabbit,  the  Wabasso, 
Sat  upright  to  look  and  listen. 

Yes,  the  brook,  the  Sebowisha, 
Pausing,  said,  "  O  Chil)iabos, 
Tea(!h  my  waves  to  flow  in  nmsic, 
Softly  as  your  words  in  singing  !  " 

Yes,  the  Iduebird,  the  Owaissa, 
Envio;is,  said,  "  O  Chibiabos, 
Teach  lue  tones  as  wild  and  wayward, 
Teach  me  songs  as  full  of  frenzy !  " 

Yes,  the  robin,  the  Opechee, 
Joyons,  said,  "  O  Chibiabos, 
Teach  me  tones  as  sweet  and  tender, 
Tea(!h  me  songs  as  ful^  of  gladness  I  " 

And  the  whippoo. «vill,  Wawonaissa, 
Sobbing,  said,  "  O  Chibiabos, 
Teach  me  tones  as  melancholy, 
Teach  me  songs  as  full  of  sadness  I  " 

All  the  many  sounds  of  nature 
Borrowed  sweetness  from  his  singing  ; 
All  the  hearts  of  men  -were  softened 
l\y  the  pathos  of  his  music  ; 
For  he  sang  of  j)eace  and  freedom, 
Sang  of  beauty,  love,  and  longing ; 
Sang  of  death,  and  life  undying 

Line  18.    Yes,  tbi3  Opuchee,  the  robin, 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


159 


In  tho  Islands  of  the  Blessed, 
In  tho  kingdom  of  Pon(?niah, 
Jn  tho  land  of  the  Hereafter. 

Very  dear  to  Hiawatha 
Was  tho  genthj  Chihiabos, 
He  tho  best  of  all  niusioians, 
He  the  sweetest  of  all  singers  ; 
For  his  gentleness  he  loved  him, 
And  the  Miagie  of  his  singing. 

Dear,  too,  nnto  Hiawatha 
Was  the  very  strong  man,  Kwasind, 
He  tho  strongest  of  all  mortals. 
He  the  mightiest  among  many ; 
For  his  very  strength  he  loved  him, 
For  his  streng-th  allied  to  goodness. 

Idle  in  his  youth  was  Kwasind, 
Very  listless,  dull,  and  dreamy. 
Never  played  with  other  children, 
Never  fished  and  never  hunted. 
Not  like  other  children  was  he  ; 
But  they  saw  that  much  he  fasted, 
Much  his  Manito  entreated, 
Much  besought  his  Guardian  Spirit. 

"  Lazy  Kwasind  !  "  said  his  mother, 
Tn  my  work  you  never  help  me  ! 
In  the  Summer  you  are  roaming 
Idly  in  the  fields  and  forest ; 
In  the  Winter  you  are  cowering 
O'er  the  firebrands  in  the  wigwam ! 
In  the  coldest  days  of  Winter 
I  must  break  the  ice  for  fishing ; 
With  my  nets  you  never  help  me  ! 

Liue  27.    Idly  iu  the  fields  aud  forests ; 


11 


J' 


160 


THE   SONG   OF  IIIAWATJIA 


At  tho  door  my  nets  ant  hanging, 
Dripping,  fruuzing  witli  tho  water; 
(to  iuul  wring  tlioni,  Yonudizzc  ! 
(lo  and  dry  them  in  the  Hunshino  I  " 

Slowly,  from  the  ashes,  Kwasind 
Kose,  but  made  no  angry  answer ; 
From  the  lodge  went  forth  in  silence, 
Took  the  nets,  that  hung  together. 
Dripping,  freezing  at  the  doorway, 
Like  a  wisp  of  straw  ho  wrung  them, 
Like  a  wisj)  of  straw  ho  broke  them. 
Could  not  wring  them  without  breaking, 
Such  tho  strength  was  in  his  fingers. 

"  Lazy  Kwasind  I  "  said  his  father, 
"  In  the  hunt  you  never  help  me ; 
Every  bow  you  touch  is  broken. 
Snapped  asundtsr  every  arrow  ; 
Yet  come  with  me  to  the  forest, 
You  shall  bring  the  hunting  homeward." 

Down  a  narrow  pass  they  wandered, 
Where  a  brooklet  led  them  onward. 
Where  the  trail  of  deer  and  bison 
Marked  the  soft  mud  on  the  margin, 
Till  they  found  all  further  passage 
Shut  against  them,  barred  securely 
By  the  trunks  of  trees  uprooted. 
Lying  lengthwise,  lying  crosswise, 
And  forbidding  further  passage. 

"  We  must  go  back,"  said  the  old  man, 
"  O'er  these  logs  we  cannot  clamber  ; 
Not  a  woodchuck  could  get  through  them. 
Not  a  squirrel  clamber  o'er  them  !  " 
And  straightway  his  pipe  he  lighted, 


rilE   SONG    OF  III  A  WAT  II A 


161 


Ian, 


jm. 


4( 


And  sat  down  to  Hinuku  and  poiidor. 
But  before  his  pipe  wuh  iinished, 
Lo  !  the  path  was  (deared  before  hlui ; 
All  the  trunks  had  Kwasind  lifttul, 
To  the  right  hand,  to  the  h>ft  hand, 
Shot  the  i)ine-tree8  swift  as  arrows, 
Hurled  the  ctedars  light  as  lances. 

"  Lazy  Kwasind  !  "  said  the  young  men, 
As  they  8j)orted  in  the  meadow : 
Why  stand  idly  looking  at  us, 
Leaning  on  the  rock  behind  you  ? 
Come  and  wrestle  with  the  others. 
Let  us  pitch  the  quoit  together  I  " 

Lazy  Kwasind  made  no  answer. 
To  ti.eir  challenge  made  no  answer, 
Only  rose,  and  slowly  turning, 
Seized  the  huge  rock  in  his  fingers, 
Tore  it  from  its  deep  foundation, 
Poised  it  in  the  air  a  moment. 
Pitched  it  sheer  into  the  river, 
Sheer  into  the  swift  Pauwating, 
Where  it  still  is  seen  in  Summer. 

Once  as  down  that  foaming  river, 
Down  the  rapids  of  Pauwating, 
Kwasind  sailed  with  his  companions. 
In  the  stream  he  saw  a  beaver, 
Saw  Ahmeek,  the  King  of  Beavers, 
Struggling  with  the  rushing  currents. 
Rising,  sinking  in  the  water. 

Without  speaking,  without  pausing, 
Kwasind  leaped  into  the  river. 
Plunged  beneath  the  bubbling  surface, 
Through  the  whirlpools  chased  the  beaver, 


I! 


,1 


H 


V    H 


162  THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

Followed  him  among  the  islands, 
Stayed  so  long  beneath  the  water, 
That  his  terrified  companions 
Ciied,  "  Alas  I  good-by  to  Kwasind  I 
We  shall  never  more  see  Kwasind  !  " 
But  he  reappeared  triumphant, 
And  upon  his  shining  shoulders 
Brought  the  beaver,  dead  and  dripping. 
Brought  the  King  of  all  the  Beavers. 
And  these  two,  as  I  have  told  you, 
Wei'e  the  friends  of  Hiawatha, 
Chibiabos,  the  musician. 
And  the  very  strong  man,  Kwasind. 
Long  they  lived  in  peace  together, 
Spake  with  naked  hearts  together. 
Pondering  much  and  much  contriving 
How  the  tribes  of  men  might  prosper. 

VII. 

hiawat/ia's  sailing. 

"  Give  me  of  your  bark,  O  Birch-tree ! 
Of  ^our  yellow  bark,  O  Birch-tree  ! 
Growing  by  the  rushing  river. 
Tall  and  stately  in  the  valley ! 
I  a  light  canoe  will  build  me. 
Build  a  swift  Cheemaun  for  sailing. 
That  shall  float  upon  the  river. 
Like  a  yellow  leaf  in  Autumn, 
Like  a  yellow  water-lily  ! 

"  Lay  aside  your  cloak,  O  Birch-tree  I 
Lay  aside  your  white-skin  wrapper. 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


163 


For  the  Summer-time  is  coming, 
And  the  sun  is  warm  in  heaven, 
And  you  need  no  white-skin  wrapper  ! " 

Thus  aloud  cried  Hiawatha 
In  the  solitary  forest, 
By  the  rushing  Taquamenaw, 
When  the  birds  were  singing  gayly, 
In  the  Moon  of  Leaves  were  singing, 
And  the  sun,  from  sleep  awaking. 
Started  up  and  said,  "  Behold  me  ! 
Geezis,  the  great  Sun,  behold  me  !  " 

And  the  tree  wirh  all  its  branches 
Rustled  in  the  brei'ze  of  morning, 
Saying,  with  a  sigh  of  patience, 
"  Take  my  cloak,  O  Hiawatha !  " 

With  his  knife  the  tree  he  girdled  ; 
Just  beneath  its  lowest  branches, 
Just  above  the  roots,  he  cut  it. 
Till  the  sap  came  oozing  outward  ; 
Down  the  trunk,  from  top  to  bottom, 
Sheer  he  cleft  the  bark  asunder. 
With  a  wooden  wedge  he  raised  it. 
Stripped  it  from  the  trunk  unbroken. 

"  Give  me  of  your  boughs,  O  Cedar  I 
Of  your  strong  and  pliant  branches. 
My  canoe  to  make  more  steady. 
Make  more  strong  and  firm  beneath  me  1 

Through  the  summit  of  the  Cedar 
Went  a  sound,  a  cry  of  horror. 
Went  a  murmur  of  resistance  ; 
But  it  whispered,  bending  downward, 
"  Take  my  boughs,  O  Hiawatha !  " 

Down  he  hewed  the  boughs  of  cedar, 


>» 


n. 


■'?  p 


164 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


Shaped  them  straightway  to  a  frame-work, 
Like  two  bows  he  foriaed  and  shaped  them. 
Like  two  bended  bows  together. 

"  Give  me  of  your  roots,  O  Tamarack  I 
Of  your  fibrous  roots,  O  Larch-tree  ! 
My  canoe  to  bind  together. 
So  to  bind  the  ends  together 
That  the  water  may  not  entei. 
That  the  river  may  not  wet  me  I  " 

And  the  Larch,  with  all  its  fibres, 
Shivered  in  the  air  of  morning. 
Touched  his  forehead  with  its  tassels. 
Said,  with  one  long  sigh  of  sorrow, 
"  Take  them  all,  O  Hiawatha  I  " 

From  the  earth  he  tore  the  fibres. 
Tore  the  tough  roots  of  the  Larch-tree, 
Closely  sewed  the  bark  together. 
Bound  it  closely  to  the  frame-work. 

"  Give  me  of  your  balm,  O  Fir-tree  i 
Of  your  balsam  and  your  resin. 
So  to  close  the  seams  together 
That  the  water  may  not  enter. 
That  the  river  may  not  wet  me  I  " 

And  the  Fir-tree,  tall  and  sombre, 
Sobbed  through  all  its  robes  of  darkness, 
Rattled  like  a  shore  with  pebbles, 
Answered  wailing,  answered  weeping, 
"  Take  my  balm,  O  Hiawatha !  " 

And  he  took  the  tears  of  balsam, 
Took  the  rosin  of  the  Fir-tree, 
Smeared  therewith  each  seam  and  fissure. 
Made  each  crevice  safe  from  water. 

"  Give  me  of  your  quills,  O  Hedgehog ! 


Pac 
For 
Am 


^»t^  SONO   OF  HIAWATHA 

Andtwosterstodeckherboaomt" 
From  a  hoUow  tree  the  Hedgehog 

Stemed  them  red  and  blue  ^d  yellow 

InfnV      ^""^  "*  ""*»  »•"'  berries 
^to  h.,  eanoe  he  wrought  them       ' 
«ound  Its  waost  a  shining  sirdip 

i  S"^  J^"-^  --splendent. 
T„  \t      ,.  "*•'  ^^noe  was  builded 
In  the  valley,  by  the  river,  ^ 

A  J''f,'~f'^-°f  deforest; 
And  the  forest's  life  was  in  it, 
AU.temyste^  and  ib  magic, 

A^  the  lightness  of  the  biiih  tree 
AU  the  toughness  of  the  cedar      • 

And  It  floated  on  the  river 

L-fce  a  yellow  leaf  in  Autumn, 
I"ke  a  yeUow  water.%. 


165 


t^n- 


166  THE  SOMG   OF  HIAWATHA 

Swift  or  slow  at  will  ho  glided, 
Veered  to  right  or  left  at  pleasure. 

Then  ho  called  aloud  to  Kwasind, 
To  his  friend,  the  strong  man,  Kwasind, 
Saying,  "  Help  me  clear  this  river 
Of  its  sunken  logs  and  sand-bars." 

Straight  into  the  river  Kwasind 
Plunged  as  if  he  were  an  otter, 
Dived  as  if  he  were  a  beaver, 
Stood  up  to  his  waist  in  water. 
To  his  arm-pits  in  the  river. 
Swam  and  shouted  in  the  river. 
Tugged  at  sunken  logs  and  branches. 
With  his  hands  he  scooped  the  sand-bars, 
With  his  feet  the  ooze  and  tangle. 

And  thus  sailed  my  Hiawatha 
Down  the  rushing  Taquamenaw, 
Sailed  through  all  its  bends  and  windings, 
Sailed  through  all  its  deeps  and  shallows, 
While  his  friend,  the  strong  man,  Kwasind, 
Swam  the  deeps,  the  shallows  waded. 

Up  and  down  the  river  went  they. 
In  and  out  among  its  islands. 
Cleared  its  bed  of  root  and  sand-bar. 
Dragged  the  dead  trees  from  its  ch'jinrl, 
Made  its  passage  safe  and  certain. 
Made  a  pathway  for  the  people. 
From  its  springs  among  the  mountains, 
To  the  waters  of  Pauwating, 
To  the  bay  of  Taquamenaw. 


•^ 


THE  SONG    OF  HIAWATHA 


167 


VIII. 


niAWATIIA  8  FISHING. 


Forth  upon  the  Gitche  viumee, 
On  the  shining  Big-Sea-Water, 
"With  his  fishing-line  of  cedar, 
Of  the  twisted  bark  of  cedar. 
Forth  to  catch  the  sturgeon  Nahma, 
Mishe-Nahma,  King  of  Fishes, 
In  his  birch  canoe  exulting 
All  alone  went  Hiawatha. 

Through  the  clear,  transparent  water 
lie  could  see  the  fishes  swimming 
Far  down  in  the  depths  below  him ; 
See  the  yellow  perch,  the  Sahwa, 
Like  a  sunbeam  in  the  water. 
See  the  Shawgashej,  the  craw-fish. 
Like  a  spider  on  the  bottom, 
On  the  white  and  sandy  bottom. 

At  the  stern  sat  Hiawatha, 
With  his  fis'iing-line  of  cedar ; 
In  his  plumes  the  breeze  of  morning 
Played  as  in  the  hemlock  branches ; 
On  the  bows,  with  tail  erected. 
Sat  the  squirrel,  Adjidaumo ; 
In  his  fur  the  breeze  of  morning 
Flayed  as  in  the  prairie  grasses. 

On  the  white  sand  of  the  bottom 
Lav  the  monbter  Mishe-Nahma, 
Lay  the  sturgeon,  King  of  Fishes ; 
Thi'ough  his  gills  he  breathed  the  water, 


168 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


With  his  fins  he  fanned  and  winnowed, 
With  his  tail  he  swept  the  sand-floor. 

There  he  lay  in  all  his  armor ; 
On  each  sii^e  a  shield  to  guard  him. 
Plates  of  bone  upon  his  forehead, 
Down  his  sides  and  back  and  shoulders 
Plates  of  bone  with  spines  projecting ! 
Painted  was  he  with  his  war-paints, 
Stripes  of  yellow,  red,  and  azure. 
Spots  of  brown  and  spots  of  sable ; 
And  he  lay  there  on  the  bottom, 
Fanning  with  his  fins  of  purple. 
As  above  him  Hiawatha 
In  his  birch  canoe  came  sailing, 
With  his  fishing-line  of  cedar. 

*'  Take  my  bait,"  cried  Hiawatha, 
Down  into  the  depths  beneath  him, 

"  Take  my  bait,  O  Sturgeon,  Nahma ! 
Come  up  from  below  the  water, 
Let  us  see  which  is  the  stronger !  " 
And  he  dropped  his  line  of  cedar 
Through  the  clear,  transparent  water, 
Waited  vainly  for  an  answer. 
Long  sat  waiting  for  an  answer, 
And  repeating  loud  and  louder, 

«  Take  my  bait,  O  King  of  Fishes !  " 
Quiet  lay  the  sturgeon,  Nahma, 
Fanning  slowly  in  the  water. 
Looking  up  at  Hiawatha, 
Listening  to  his  call  and  clamor. 
His  unnecessary  tumult. 
Till  he  wearied  of  the  shout:  ug  ; 
And  he  said  to  the  Kenozha, 


#' 


.«■■ 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 

To  the  pike,  the  Maskenozha, 
"  Take  the  bait  of  this  rude  fellow, 
Break  the  line  of  Hiawatha !  " 

In  his  fingers  Hiawatha 
Felt  the  loose  line  jerk  and  tighten  ; 
As  he  drew  it  in,  it  tugged  so 
That  the  birch  canoe  stood  endwise, 
Like  a  birch  log  in  the  water, 
With  the  squirrel,  Adjidaumo, 
Perched  and  frisking  on  the  summit. 

Full  of  scorn  was  Hiawatha 
When  he  saw  the  fish  rise  upward, 
Saw  the  pike,  the  Maskenozha, 
Coming  nearer,  nearer  to  him. 
And  he  shouted  through  the  water, 
"  Esa !  esa !  shame  upon  you ! 
You  are  but  the  pike,  Kenozha, 
You  are  not  the  fish  I  wanted, 
Yoa  are  not  the  King  of  Fishes  I ' 
Beeling  downward  to  the  bottoa. 
Sank  the  pike  in  great  confusion. 
And  the  mighty  sturgeon,  Nahma, 
Said  to  Ugudwash,  the  sun-fish. 
To  the  bream,  with  scides  of  crimson, 
"  Take  the  bait  of  this  gi'eat  boaster. 
Break  the  line  of  Hiawatha !  " 

Slowly  upward,  wavering,  gleaming, 
Rose  the  Ugudwash,  the  sun-fish. 
Seized  the  line  of  Hiawatha, 
Swung  with  all  his  weight  upon  it. 
Made  a  whirlpool  in  the  water, 
Whirled  the  birch  canoe  in  circles. 


169 


Between  lines  27  and  28.    Like  a  white  luoou  in  the  vater, 


I ' 


170 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


Round  and  roun<l  in  gui-gling  eddies. 
Till  the  circles  in  the  water 
lica(;hed  the  far-off  sandv  beaches. 
Till  the  water-flags  and  rushes 
Nodded  on  the  distant  margins. 

But  when  Hiawatha  saw  him 
Slowly  rising  through  the  water, 
Lifting  up  his  disk  refulgent, 
Loud  he  shouted  in  derision, 
Es5' '  esi  I  shame  upon  you ! 
Yoie  ai'O  Jgudwush,  the  sun-fish, 
Yrm  ;pe  not  the  fish  I  wanted, 
iou  are  '»ot  the  King  of  Fishes  !  " 

Slowly  downward,  wavering,  gleaming, 
Sank  the  Ugudwash,  the  sun-fish, 
And  again  the  sturgeon,  Nahma, 
Heard  the  shout  of  Hiawatha, 
Heard  his  challenge  of  defiance. 
The  unnecessary  tumult. 
Ringing  far  across  the  water. 

From  the  white  sand  of  the  bottom 
Up  he  rose  with  angry  gesture. 
Quivering  in  each  nerve  and  fibre. 
Clashing  all  his  plate?  of  armor. 
Gleaming  bright  with  all  his  war-paint ; 
In  his  wrath  he  darted  upward. 
Flashing  leaped  into  the  sunshine. 
Opened  his  great  jaws,  and  swallowed 
Both  canoe  and  Hiawatha. 

Down  into  that  darksome  cavern 
Plunged  the  headlong  Hiawatha, 


« 


Line  8.    Lifting  hiB  great  disc  of  whitenesB, 
Line  14.    Wavering  downward,  wliite  and  gluutly, 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 

As  a  log  on  some  black  rivor 
Shoots  and  plu  iges  down  the  rapids, 
Found  himself  m  utler  darkness, 
Groped  ab«'ut  in  helpless  wonder. 
Till  he  felt  '  great  Ik  art  beating, 
Thro'ibing  in  that  utter  darkness. 

And  he  smote  it  i'.  nis  anger, 
With  his  fist,  the  heart  of  Nahnia, 
Felt  the  miglity  King  of  Fishes 
S-iiUtiuer  through  each  nerve  and  fibre, 
Heard  the  water  gurgle  round  him 
As  he  leaped  and  staggered  through  it, 
Sick  at  heart,  and  faint  and  weary. 

Crosswise  then  did  Hiawatha 
Drag  his  birch-canoe  for  safety. 
Lest  from  out  the  jaws  of  Naluna, 
In  the  turmoil  and  confusion. 
Forth  lu;  might  be  hurled  and  perish. 
And  the  squirrel,  Adjidaumo, 
Frisked  and  chatted  very  gayly. 
Toiled  and  tugged  with  Hiawatha 
Till  the  labor  was  completed. 

Then  said  Hiawatha  to  him, 
"  O  my  little  friend,  the  squirrel. 
Bravely  have  you  toiled  to  help  me ; 
Take  the  thanks  of  Hiawatha, 
And  the  name  which  now  he  gives  you ; 
For  hereafter  and  forever 
Boys  shall  call  j^ou  Adjidaumo, 
Tail-in-air  the  boys  shall  call  you !  " 

And  again  the  sturgeon,  Nahma, 
Gasped  and  quivered  in  the  water. 
Then  was  still,  and  drifted  landward 


171 


Vt  I 


1 

I; 


172 


THE  SONd  OF  HIAWATHA 


Till  ho  grated  on  the  pebbles, 
Till  the  listening  Hiawatha 
Heard  him  grate  \\\)o\\  the  margin, 
Felt  him  strand  upon  the  pebbles, 
Knew  that  Nahma,  King  of  Fishes, 
Lay  there  dead  u])on  the  margin. 

Then  he  heard  a  elang  and  flapping, 
As  of  many  wings  assembling, 
Heard  a  screaming  and  confusion. 
As  of  birds  of  prey  contending, 
Saw  a  gleam  of  light  above  him, 
Shining  through  the  ribs  of  Nahma, 
Saw  the  glittering  eyes  of  sea-gulls. 
Of  Kayoslik,  the  sea-gidls,  peering. 
Gazing  at  him  through  the  opening, 
Heard  them  saying  to  each  other, 

**  'T  is  our  brother,  Hiawatha  !  " 

And  he  shouted  from  below  them. 
Cried  exulting  from  the  caverns : 

**  O  ye  sea-gulls !     O  my  brothers ! 
I  have  slain  the  sturgeon,  Nahma ; 
Make  the  rifts  a  little  larger. 
With  your  claws  the  openings  widen, 
Set  me  free  from  this  dark  prison. 
And  henceforward  and  forever 
Men  shall  speak  of  your  achievements, 
Calling  you  Kayoshk,  the  sea-gulls. 
Yes,  Kayoshk,  the  Noble  Scratchers  !  " 
And  the  wild  and  clamorous  sea-gulls 
Toiled  with  beak  and  claws  together. 
Made  the  rifts  and  openings  wider 
In  thf;  mighty  ribs  of  Nahma, 
And  from  peril  and  from  prison. 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 

From  the  bo<ly  of  the  sturgfon, 
From  the  peril  of  the  water, 
They  released  my  lliuwatha. 

lie  was  standing  near  his  wigwam, 
On  the  margin  of  the  water. 
And  ho  called  to  old  Nokomis, 
Called  and  beckoned  to  Nokomis, 
Pointed  to  the  sturgeon,  Nahma, 
Lying  lifeless  on  the  pebbles, 
With  the  sea-gulls  feeding  on  him. 

"  I  have  slain  the  Mishe-Nahmri, 
Slain  the  King  of  Fishes !  "  sai<l  he ; 
"  Look !  the  sea-gulls  feed  upon  him. 
Yes,  my  friends  Kayoshk,  the  sea-gulls ; 
Drive  them  not  away,  Nokomis, 
They  have  saved  me  from  great  peril 
In  the  body  of  the  sturgeon. 
Wait  until  their  meal  is  ended. 
Till  their  craws  are  full  with  feasting. 
Till  they  homeward  fly,  at  sunset, 
To  their  nests  among  the  marshes  ; 
Then  bring  all  your  pots  and  kettles, 
And  make  oil  for  us  in  Winter." 

And  she  waited  till  the  sun  set. 
Till  the  pallid  moon,  the  Night-sun, 
Rose  above  the  tranquil  water, 
Till  Kayoshk,  the  sated  sea-gulls. 
From  their  banquet  rose  with  clamor. 
And  across  the  fiery  sunset 
Winged  their  way  to  far-off  islands, 
To  their  nests  among  the  rushes. 

To  his  sleep  went  Hiawatha, 

Liue  3.    Was  released  tny  Hiawatha. 


173 


I 


il; 


174 


THE  SON  a   OF  HIAWATHA 


And  NokomiH  to  her  labor, 
Toiling  patient  in  the  nioonli{;ht, 
Till  till)  sun  and  moon  changed  places, 
Till  the  sky  was  red  with  sunrise, 
And  Kayoshk,  thf  hungry  sea-gulls, 
Caino  hack  from  tho  reedy  islands. 
Clamorous  for  their  morning  banquet. 

Three  whole  days  and  nights  olteruate 
Old  Nokomis  and  the  sca-gidls 
Stripi)ed  the  oily  flesh  of  Nahma, 
Till  the  waves  washed  through  the  rib-bones, 
Till  tho  sea-gulls  came  no  longer. 
And  u})on  the  sands  lay  nothing 
But  the  skeleton  of  Nalmia. 


IX. 


«  1 


M 


HIAWATHA  AND  THE   PEARL-FEATHER. 

On  the  shores  of  Gitche  Gumee, 
Of  the  shining  Big-Sea- Water, 
Stood  Nokomis,  the  old  woman, 
Pointing  with  her  finger  westward, 
O'er  the  water  pointing  westward, 
To  the  purple  clouds  of  sunset. 

Fiercely  the  red  sun  descending 
Burned  his  way  along  the  heavens. 
Set  the  sky  on  firo  behind  him. 
As  war-parties,  when  retreating. 
Burn  the  prairies  on  their  war-trail ; 
And  the  moon,  the  Night-sun,  eastward. 
Suddenly  starting  from  his  ambush. 
Followed  fast  those  bloody  footprints. 


Aj 
Ac 
So 


THE  SOXG   OF  HI  AW  ATI!  A 


176 


Followed  in  that  fiery  war-trail, 
With  its  glare  upon  his  features. 

And  Nokoniis,  the  old  woman, 
Pointing  with  her  finger  wentward, 
Spake  these  words  to  Hiawatha: 
"  Yonder  dwells  tlie  great  Pearl-Feather, 
Megissogwon,  the  Magician, 
Manito  of  Wcaltii  and  Wampum, 
Guarded  by  his  tiery  serpents, 
Guarded  by  the  black  jiitch-water. 
You  can  see  his  fiery  serj^'nts. 
The  Kenabeek,  the  great  serpents. 
Coiling,  playing  in  the  water  ; 
You  can  see  the  black  pitch-water 
Stretching  far  away  beyond  them, 
To  the  purple  clouds  of  sunset ! 

"  He  it  was  who  slew  my  father. 
By  his  wicked  wiles  and  cunning, 
When  he  from  the  moon  descended, 
When  he  came  on  earth  to  seek  me. 
He,  the  mightiest  of  Magicians, 
Sends  the  fever  from  the  marshes, 
Sends  the  pestilential  vapors. 
Sends  the  poisonous  exhalations. 
Sends  the  white  fog  from  the  fen-lands, 
Sends  disease  and  death  among  us ! 

"  Take  your  bow,  O  Hiawatha, 
Take  your  arrows,  jasper-headed. 
Take  your  war-club,  Puggawaugun, 
And  your  mittens,  Minjekahwun, 
And  your  birch-canoe  for  sailing. 
And  th«  oil  of  Mishe-Nahma, 
So  to  smear  its  sides,  that  swiftly 


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17G 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


You  may  pass  the  black  pitch-water ; 
Slay  this  merciless  ma^cian, 
Save  the  people  from  the  fever 
That  he  breathes  across  the  fen-lands, 
And  avenge  my  father's  murder !  " 

Straightway  then  my  Hiawatha 
Armed  himself  with  all  his  war-gear, 
Launched  his  birch-canoe  for  sailing  ; 
With  his  palm  its  sides  he  patted, 
Said  with  glee,  "  Cheeraaun,  my  darling, 
O  my  liirch-canoe  !  leap  forward. 
Where  you  see  the  fiery  seri)ents, 
Where  you  see  the  black  pitch-water  !  " 

Forward  leaped  Cheemaun  exulting, 
And  tlie  noble  Hiawatha 
Sang  his  war-song  >vild  and  woful, 
And  above  him  the  war-eagle, 
The  Keneu,  the  great  war-eagle. 
Master  of  all  fowls  with  feathers. 
Screamed  and  hurtled  through  the  heavens. 

Soon  he  reached  the  fiery  serpents, 
The  Kenabeek,  the  great  serpents, 
Lying  huge  upon  the  water, 
Sparkling,  rippling  in  the  water, 
Lying  coiled  across  the  passage. 
With  their  blazing  crests  uplifted. 
Breathing  fiery  fogs  and  vai)ors, 
So  that  none  could  i)ass  beyond  them. 

But  the  fearless  Hiawatha 
Cried  aloud,  and  spake  in  this  wise  : 
"  Let  me  pass  my  way,  Kenabeek, 
Let  me  go  upon  my  journey  I  " 
And  they  answered,  hissing  fiercely. 


THE   SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


177 


With  their  fiery  breath  made  answer : 
"  Back,  go  haek  !    O  Shaugodaya ! 
Back  to  old  Nokomis,  Faint-heart  I  " 

Then  the  angiy  Hiawatha 
Raised  his  mighty  bow  of  ash-tree, 
Seized  his  arrows,  jasper-headed, 
Shot  them  fast  among  the  serpents ; 
Every  twanging  of  the  bow-str  ing 
Was  a  war-cry  and  a  death-cry, 
Every  whizzing  of  an  arrow 
Was  a  death-song  of  Kenabeek. 

Weltering  in  the  bloody  water, 
Dead  lay  all  the  fiery  serpents. 
And  among  them  Hiawatha 
Ilannless  sailed,  and  cried  exulting  : 
"  Onward,  O  Cheemaun,  my  darling  I 
Onward  to  the  black  i)iti^h-water  !  " 

Then  he  took  the  oil  of  Nahma, 
And  the  bows  and  sides  anointed, 
Smeared  them  well  with  oil,  that  swiftly 
He  might  pass  the  black  pitch-water. 

All  night  long  he  sailed  upon  it. 
Sailed  upon  that  sluggish  water. 
Covered  with  its  mould  of  ages. 
Black  with  rotting  water-rushes. 
Rank  with  flags  and  leaves  of  lilies. 
Stagnant,  lifeless,  dreary,  dismal, 
Lightoil  by  the  shimmering  moonlight, 
And  by  will-o'-the-wisps  illumined. 
Fires  by  ghosts  of  dead  men  kindled, 
In  their  weary  night-encamjmicnts. 

All  the  air  was  wliih;  with  moonlight, 
All  the  water  black  with  shadow, 


I. .  • 


178  THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 

And  around  hini  the  Snggema, 
The  mosquito,  sang  his  war-song, 
And  the  fire-Hies,  Wah-wah-taysee, 
Waved  their  torches  to  mislead  him  ; 
And  the  bull-frog,  the  Dahinda, 
Thrust  his  head  into  the  moonlight, 
Fixed  his  yellow  eyes  ujwn  him. 
Sobbed  and  sank  beneath  the  sui'face  ; 
And  ancm  a  thousand  whistles. 
Answered  over  ail  the  fen-lands. 
And  the  heron,  the  Shuh-shuh-gah, 
Far  off  on  the  reedy  margin. 
Heralded  the  hero's  coming. 

Westward  thus  fared  Hiawatha, 
Toward  the  realm  of  Megissogwon, 
Toward  the  land  of  the  Pearl-Feather, 
Till  the  level  moon  stared  at  him. 
In  his  face  stared  pale  and  haggard, 
Till  the  sun  was  hot  behind  him. 
Till  it  burned  upon  his  shoulders, 
And  before  him  on  the  upland 
He  couhl  see  the  Shining  Wigwam 
Of  the  Manito  of  Wampum, 
Of  the  mightiest  of  Magicians. 

Then  once  more  Cheemaim  he  patted. 
To  his  birch-canoe  said,  "  Onward  !  " 
And  it  stirred  in  all  its  fibres, 
And  with  one  great  bound  of  triumph 
Leaped  across  the  water-lilies. 
Leaped  through  tangled  flags  and  rushes, 
And  upon  the  beach  beyond  them 
Dry-shod  landed  Hiawatha. 

Line  2.    The  moiH|uitoeii,  tiaui;  their  war-song, 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


179 


Straight  he  too^-  his  bow  of  ash-tree, 
On  the  sanvl  one  end  he  rested, 
With  his  knee  he  pressed  the  middh', 
Stretched  the  faitb.ful  bow-string  tighter, 
Took  an  arrow,  jasi)er-hejuled, 
Shot  it  at  the  Shining  Wigwam, 
Sent  it  singing  as  a  herald. 
As  a  bearer  of  his  message, 
Of  his  challenge  loud  and  lofty  : 
"  Come  forth  from  your  lodge,  Pearl-Feather  I 
Hiawatha  waits  your  coming  !  " 

Straightway  from  the  Shining  Wigwara 
Came  the  mighty  Megissogwon, 
Tall  of  stature,  broad  of  shoulder, 
Dark  and  terrible  in  as|)eet, 
Clad  from  head  to  foot  in  wampum, 
Armed  with  all  his  warlike  weapons. 
Painted  like  the  sky  of  morning, 
Streaked  with  crimson,  blue,  and  yellow, 
Crested  with  great  eagle-feathers. 
Streaming  upward,  streaming  outward. 

"  Well  I  know  you,  Hiawatha  I " 
Cried  he  in  a  voice  of  thunder, 
In  a  tone  of  loud  derision. 
"  Hasten  back,  O  Shaugodaya  I 
Hasten  back  among  the  women. 
Back  to  old  Nokomis,  Faint-heart ! 
I  will  slay  you  as  you  stand  there. 
As  of  old  I  slew  her  father !  " 

But  my  Hiawatha  answered. 
Nothing  daunted,  fearing  nothing  : 
"  Big  words  do  not  smite  like  war-clubs, 

Liue  1*.    Ouo  eud  ou  the  uuid  be  rcHteJ, 


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180 


(( 


r//^  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

Boai«tful  breatli  is  not  a  bow-striug, 
Taunts  arc  not  ho  sharp  as  arrows, 
Deeds  are  better  things  than  words  are, 
Actions  mightier  than  boastings  !  " 

Then  began  the  greatest  battle 
That  the  sun  had  ever  looked  on, 
That  tho  war-birds  ever  witnessed. 
All  a  Summer's  day  it  lasted, 
From  tho  sunrise  to  tho  sunset ; 
For  the  shafts  of  Hiawatha 
Harmless  hit  the  shirt  of  wampum, 
Harndess  fell  tho  blows  he  dealt  ir< 
With  his  mittens,  Minjekahwun^ 
Harmless  fell  the  heavy  war-elub  ; 
It  could  dash  the  rocks  asunder, 
But  it  could  not  break  the  meshes 
Of  that  magic  shirt  of  wampum. 

Till  at  sunset  Hiawatha, 
lioaning  on  his  bow  of  ash-troe. 
Wounded,  weary,  and  desponding, 
With  his  mighty  war-club  broken. 
With  his  mittens  torn  and  tattered. 
And  three  useless  arrows  only, 
Paused  to  rest  beneath  a  pine-tree. 
From  whose  branches  trailed  the  mobues, 
And  whose  trunk  was  coated  over 
With  the  Dead-man's  Moccaf<in-loather, 
With  the  fungus  wh'te  and  yellow. 

Suddenly  from  the  boughs  above  him 
Sang  the  Mama,  the  woodpecker : 
Aim  youi  arrows,  Hiawatha, 
At  the  head  of  Megissogwon, 
Strike  the  tuft  of  hair  upon  it. 


THE   SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


181 


At  their  roots  the  long  black  tresses  ; 
There  alone  can  he  be  wounded !  " 

Winged  with  feathers,  tipped  with  jasper, 
Swift  flew  Hiawatha's  arrow, 
Just  as  Megissogwon,  stooj»ing, 
Raised  a  heavy  stone  to  throw  it. 
Full  upon  the  crown  it  struck  him, 
At  the  roots  of  his  long  tresses, 
And  he  reeled  and  staggered  forward, 
Plunging  like  a  wounded  bison, 
Yes,  like  Pezhekee,  tlie  bison. 
When  the  snow  is  on  the  prairie. 

Swifter  flow  the  second  arrow. 
In  the  pathway  of  the  other, 
Piercing  deeper  than  the  other, 
Woiuiding  sorer  than  the  other ; 
And  the  knees  of  Megissogwon 
Shook  like  windy  reeds  beneath  him, 
Bent  and  trembled  like  the  rushes. 

But  the  third  and  latest  arrow 
Swiftest  flew,  and  wounded  sorest, 
And  the  mighty  Megissogwon 
Saw  the  flery  eyes  of  Pauguk, 
Saw  the  eyes  of  Death  glan-  at  him, 
Heard  his  voice  call  in  the  darkness  ; 
At  the  feet  of  Hiawatha 
Lifeless  lay  the  great  Pearl-Feather, 
Lay  the  mightiest  of  Magicians. 

Then  the  grateful  Hiawatha 
Called  the  Mania,  the  woodpecker, 
From  his  perch  among  the  branches 
Of  the  melancholy  pine-tree. 
And,  in  honor  of  his  service, 


182 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


Stained  with  blood  the  tuft  of  feathers 
On  the  little  head  of  Mama  ; 
Even  to  this  day  he  wears  it, 
Wears  the  tuft  of  erimson  feathers, 
As  a  symbol  of  \vh  service. 

Then  he  stripped  the  shirt  of  wampum 
From  the  back  of  Megissogwon, 
As  a  trophy  of  the  battle, 
As  a  signal  of  his  conquest. 
On  the  shore  he  left  the  body, 
Half  on  land  and  half  in  water. 
In  the  sand  his  feet  were  buried. 
And  his  face  was  in  the  water. 
And  above  him,  wheeled  and  clamored 
The  Keneu,  the  great  wnr-eagle, 
Sailing  round  in  narrower  circles, 
Hovering  nearer,  nearer,  nearer. 

From  the  wigwam  Hiawatha 
Bore  the  wealth  of  Megissogwon, 
All  his  wealth  of  skins  and  wampum, 
Furs  of  bison  and  of  beaver. 
Furs  of  sable  and  of  ermine. 
Wampum  belts  and  strings  and  pouches. 
Quivers  wrought  with  beads  of  wampum. 
Filled  with  arrows,  silver-headed. 

Homeward  then  he  sailed  exulting. 
Homeward  through  the  black  pitch-water, 
Homeward  through  the  weltering  serpents. 
With  the  trophies  of  the  battle. 
With  a  shout  and  song  of  triumph. 

On  th(^  shore  stood  old  Nokomis, 
On  the  sliore  stood  Chibiabos, 
And  the  very  strong  man,  Kwasind, 


Spnf  V  ""  ^''^  ^^'oni  the  fen  Uu  1 

feeiit  disease  aiul  clo-if I.  o        '^"-^'"»tls, 

Ever  dear  to    r/^"'^"S^"«'" 
Was  H.  ^^'-^watJia 

He  n.]^,      1  **^^"io»nb'ance 

Shared  it  *»fii,^  11.       ^ '  *i"<^» 

equally  amon-  thein. 

X. 

"'AWATHA'S   WOOING. 

^^selesa  eacL  without  fi        ,       '"^^^^'S' 
Tli..«  4.1  '"^'^'"^  the  other  !  " 


183 


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184 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


Said  within  himsolf  and  pondered, 
Much  perplexed  by  various  feelings, 
Listless,  longing,  hoping,  fearing, 
Dreaming  still  of  Minnehaha, 
Of  the  lovely  Laughing  Water, 
In  the  land  of  the  Dacotahs. 

"  Wed  a  maiden  of  your  i)eople," 
Warning  said  the  old  Nokomis  ; 

*'  Go  not  eastward,  go  not  westward. 
For  a  stranger,  whom  we  know  not ! 
Like  a  fne  upon  the  hearth-stone 
Is  a  neighbor's  homely  daughter. 
Like  the  starlight  or  the  moonlight 
Is  the  handsomest  of  strangers  !  " 

Thus  dissuading  spake  Nokomis, 
And  my  Hiawatha  answei-ed 
Only  this  :  "  Dear  old  Nokomis, 
Very  pleasant  is  the  firelight, 
But  I  like  the  starlight  better. 
Better  do  I  like  the  moonlight  I  " 
Gravely  then  said  old  Nokomis : 

"  Bring  not  here  an  idle  maiden, 
Bring  not  here  a  useless  woman, 
Hands  unskilful,  feet  unwilling  ; 
Bring  a  wife  with  nimble  fingers. 
Heart  and  hand  that  move  together, 
Feet  that  run  on  willing  errands !  " 
Smiling  answered  Hiawatha : 

"  In  the  land  of  the  Dacotahs 
Lives  the  Arrow-maker's  daughter, 
Minnehaha,  Laughing  Water, 
Handsomest  of  all  the  women. 
I  will  bring  her  to  your  wigwam, 


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She  «hall  ..„„  „p„„ 

B«  your  starlight,  moonl.Vh       ':,;  , . 

Thus  ,l..,«rt>,l  Hiawatha  ' 

To  the  ami  ..f  ♦^  o.„,„tahs. 
To  the  U,,.,  ^  h^„j^^^    ^ 

St-ulmsovor  moor  and  ,„eadT' 
Thi^ough  .«ter.„i„ablo  for-.tlj    ' 

"  tk  his  moccasins  of  maeic 
AM^-h  stride  a  mile  ho  meat  r'cU.. 

And  h.s  heart  outran  his  f„„t,eepr 
And  he  journeyed  without  re,«l 

Cilli«    /..        °'  *'""'"haha 
<-aJlmg  to  hmi  throuo'Ii  n.„   -i 

"H««antisthesoun^'.t  """'• 
"  Weasant  is  the  v„"ce  th-t     iT"™"™-^' 

Onthe  outskirts  of  the  forests 


ISo 


186 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


»  '» 


'Twixt  the  hIkuIow  and  the  HuiiHliine, 

llt'icls  of  fallow  (leer  were  feeding, 

Ihit  they  Haw  not  Hiawatha; 

To  his  how  ho  whisptTed,  "  Fail  not 

To  his  arrow  whispered,  "  Swerve  not!  '* 

Sent  it  singinjjj  on  its  errand. 

To  th«!  red  heart  of  the  roebuek  ; 

Threw  the  deer  across  his  shouhlep, 

And  sped  forwivrd  without  pausing. 

At  the  doorway  of  his  wigwam 
Sat  the  aneient  Arrow-maker, 
In  the  land  of  the  Daeotahs, 
Making  arrow-heads  of  jasper, 
Arrow-heads  of  chalcedony. 
At  his  side,  in  all  her  beauty, 
Sat  the  lovely  Minnehaha, 
Sat  his  daughter,  Laughing  Water, 
Plaiting  nuits  of  flags  and  rushes ; 
Of  the  past  the  old  man's  thoughts  were, 
And  the  maiden's  of  the  future. 

He  was  thinking,  as  he  sat  there. 
Of  the  days  when  with  such  arrows 
He  had  struck  the  deer  and  bison, 
On  the  Muskoday,  the  meadow  ; 
Shot  the  wild  goose,  flying  southward, 
On  the  wing,  the  clamorous  Wawa  ; 
Thinking  of  the  great  war-parties. 
How  they  came  to  buy  his  arrows. 
Could  not  fight  without  his  arrows. 
Ah,  no  more  such  noble  warriors 
Could  be  found  on  earth  as  they  were  I 
Now  the  men  were  all  like  women, 
Only  used  their  tongues  for  weapons  1 


THE  SOSG  OF  HIAWATHA 


187 


She  wuM  thinking  of  a  hnntor, 

From  another  tribe  and  country, 

Young  anil  tali  and  very  liaiulHonie, 

AVIk)  one  morning,  in  the  Spring-time, 

Came  to  i>;!v  her  father's  arrows, 

Sat  and  rested  in  the  wigwam, 

Lingered  lor  g  about  the  doorway, 

Looking  back  as  ho  departed. 

She  had  heard  her  father  praise  him, 

Praise  his  courage  and  his  wisilom  ; 

Would  ho  come  again  for  arrows 

To  the  Falls  of  Minnehaha? 

On  the  mat  her  hands  lay  idle, 

And  her  eyes  were  very  dreamy. 
Through  their  thoughts  they  heard  a  footstep. 

Hoard  a  rustling  in  tho  branches, 

And  with  glowing  cheek  and  forehead. 

With  the  deer  ui)on  his  shoulders, 

Suddenly  from  out  the  woodlands 

Hiawatha  stood  before  them. 
Straight  the  ancient  Arrow-maker 

Looked  up  gravely  from  his  labor, 

Laid  aside  the  unfinished  arrow. 

Bade  him  enter  at  the  doorway. 

Saying,  as  he  rose  to  meet  him, 
"  Hiawatha,  you  are  welcome !  " 
At  the  feet  of  Laughing  Water 

Hiawatha  laid  his  burden, 

Threw  tho  red  deer  from  his  shoulders  j 

And  the  maiden  looked  up  at  him. 

Looked  up  from  her  mat  of  rushes, 

Said  with  gentle  look  and  accent, 
"  You  are  welcome,  Hiawatha !  '* 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y   14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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188  THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

Very  spacious  was  the  wigwam, 
Made  of  deer-skins  dressed  and  whitened, 
With  the  Gods  of  the  Dacotahs 
Drawn  and  painted  on  its  curtains. 
And  so  tall  the  doorway,  hardly 
Hiawatha  stooped  to  enter. 
Hardly  touched  his  eagle-feathers 
As  he  entered  at  the  doorway. 

Then  uprose  the  Laughing  Water, 
From  the  ground  fair  Minnehaha, 
Laid  aside  her  mat  unfinished. 
Brought  forth  food  and  set  before  them. 
Water  brought  them  from  the  brooklet, 
Gave  them  food  in  earthen  vessels, 
Gave  them  drink  in  bowls  of  bass-wood, 
Listened  while  the  guest  was  speaking. 
Listened  while  her  father  answered. 
But  not  once  her  lips  she  opened. 
Not  a  single  word  she  uttered. 

Yes,  as  in  a  dream  she  listened 
To  the  words  of  Hiawatha, 
As  he  talked  of  old  Nokomis, 
Who  had  nursed  him  in  his  childhood, 
As  he  told  of  his  companions, 
Chibiabos,  the  musician, 
And  the  very  strong  man,  Kwasind, 
And  of  happiness  and  plenty 
In  the  land  of  the  Ojibways, 
In  the  pleasant  land  and  peaceful. 

"  After  many  years  of  warfare. 
Many  years  of  strife  and  bloodshed. 
There  is  peace  between  the  Ojibways 
And  the  tribe  of  the  Dacotahs." 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATUA 
Thus  continued  Hiawatha, 

"  That  tt" ''•'''''•  ^^^""^'"S^'-ly. 
An?  *'"7"''«'«  "^y  la«t  forever 

Minnehaha,  ChtgW^ef "' 
Wehestof  DaeVwIe:";'.. 

Paused  1     """•'""  "^""^-"""ker 
i-aused  a  moment  ere  he  answered 

Smoked  alittle  while  in  silenle 
Looked  at  Hiawatha  prouS 

Jondly  looked  at  Laughing  Water 
J;e3,il  Minnehaha  wishes: 

^fWwi:S?::^-^-oa  there. 

As  she  went  to  Hiawatha, 
^%  took  the  seat  besidL  him 

Of  the  ancient  Arrow-makef, 
In  the  land  of  the  Dacotahs 
From  the  wigwam  he  departed 

HSht'dii:^--''"'^-- 
Au^edoorw:;:;r::;ii;^ 


189 


190 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


l  !'■ 


Heard  the  Falls  of  Minnehaha 
CaUing  to  them  from  the  distance, 
Crying  to  them  from  afar  off, 
"  Fare  thee  well,  O  Minnehaha !  " 

And  the  ancient  Anow-maker 
Turned  again  unto  his  labor, 
Sat  down  by  his  sunny  doorway, 
Murmuring  to  himself,  and  saying : 
"  Thus  it  is  our  daughters  leave  us. 
Those  we  love,  and  those  who  love  us ! 
Just  when  they  have  learned  to  help  us. 
When  we  are  old  and  lean  upon  them. 
Comes  a  youth  with  flaunting  feathers. 
With  his  flute  of  reeds,  a  stranger 
Wanders  piping  through  the  village. 
Beckons  to  the  fairest  maiden, 
And  she  follows  where  he  leads  her. 
Leaving  all  things  for  the  stranger !  " 

Pleasant  was  the  journey  homeward, 
Through  interminable  forests. 
Over  meadow,  over  mountain, 
Over  river,  hill,  and  hollow. 
Short  it  seemed  to  Hiawatha, 
Though  they  journeyed  very  slowly, 
Though  his  pace  he  checked  and  slackened 
To  the  steps  of  Laughing  Water. 

Over  wide  and  rushing  rivers 
In  his  arms  he  bore  the  maiden  ; 
Light  he  thought  her  as  a  feather. 
As  the  plume  upon  his  head-gear  ; 
Cleared  the  tangled  pathway  for  her, 
Bent  aside  the  swaying  branches. 
Made  at  night  a  lodge  of  branches, 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


191 


cened 


And  a  bed  with  boughs  of  hemlock, 
And  a  lire  before  the  doorway 
With  the  dry  cones  of  the  pine-tree. 

All  the  travelling  winds  went  with  them, 
O'er  the  meadows,  through  the  forest ; 
All  the  stars  of  night  looked  at  them, 
Watched  with  sleepless  eyes  their  slumber  ; 
From  his  ambush  in  the  oak-tree 
Peeped  the  squirrel,  Adjidaumo, 
Watched  with  eager  eyes  the  lovers  ; 
And  the  rabbit,  the  Wabasso, 
Scampered  from  the  path  before  them. 
Peering,  peeping  from  his  burrow, 
Sat  erect  upon  his  haunches, 
Watched  with  curious  eyes  the  lovers. 

Pleasant  was  the  journey  homeward  ! 
All  the  birds  sang  loud  and  sweetly 
Songs  of  happiness  and  heart's-ease  ; 
Sang  the  bluebird,  the  Owaissa, 
"Happy  are  you,  Hiawatha, 
Having  such  a  wife  to  love  you  !  " 
Sang  the  robin,  the  Opechee, 
"Happy  are  you.  Laughing  Water, 
Having  such  a  noble  husband  !  " 

From  the  sky  the  sun  benignant 
Looked  upon  them  through  the  branches, 
Saying  to  them,  "  O  my  children, 
Love  is  sunshine,  hate  is  shadow, 
Life  is  checkered  shade  and  sunshine. 
Rule  by  love,  O  Hiawatha  !  " 

i^'rom  the  sky  the  moon  looked  at  them, 
Filled  the  lodge  with  mystic  splendors, 

Line  22.    Saug  the  Opechee,  the  robin, 


192 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


Whispered  to  them,  "  O  my  children, 
Day  is  restless,  night  is  quiet, 
Man  imperious,  woman  feeble  ; 
Half  is  mine,  although  I  follow ; 
Rule  by  patience.  Laughing  Water  !  " 

Thus  it  was  they  journeyed  homeward ; 
Thus  it  was  that  Hiawatha 
To  the  lodge  of  old  Nokomis 
Brought  the  moonlight,  starlight,  firelight, 
Brought  the  sunshine  of  his  people, 
Minnehaha,  Laughing  Water, 
Handsomest  of  all  the  women 
In  the  land  of  the  Dacotahs, 
In  the  land  of  handsome  women. 

XI. 

Hiawatha's  wedding-feast. 

You  shall  hear  how  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
How  the  handsome  Yenadizze 
Danced  at  Hiawatha's  wedding ; 
How  the  gentle  Chibiabos, 
He  the  sweetest  of  musicians. 
Sang  his  songs  of  love  and  longing  ; 
How  lagoo,  the  great  boaster. 
He  the  marvellous  story-teller. 
Told  his  tales  of  strange  adventure, 
That  the  feast  might  be  more  joyous, 
That  the  time  might  pass  more  gayly. 
And  the  guests  be  more  contented. 

Sumptuous  was  the  feast  Nokomis 
Made  at  Hiawatha's  wedding ; 


%  ■ 


"""^  '^Om   Of  mAWATHA 
All  the  bowls  were  marlp  ^f  u 

AU  the  spooM  of  horn  of  bison 

Bl^k  and  polished  ve.y  smooMy 
hhe  had  sent  throuffh  all  th.    m. 

Messengers  .ith  wandtof  Jm^ "^^- 

^s  a  sign  of  invitation, 

As  a  token  of  the  feasting  • 

Kobes  of  fur  a/^d  Wteof T'"'' 
Splendid  with  their  it-"!    T^^^' 

Beautify  With  be:Srd'a™^««- 

r,„„l,7    J         "  *^askenozha. 
Caught  and  cooked  by  old  Nok;mis  • 

Then  on  pelican  they  feasted,  ' 

Pemican  and  buffalo  marrow 
Haunch  of  dsoi.  „„j  i.  ' 

V  11  ,       '  ^'l  '"Jmp  of  bison 

R.^t''™"''*  "'driver. 

And  thl  ^  ^"'r  ^'""^'H 
And  the  lovely  Laughing  w^ter 

Tast  f  "^f "'  "'<'  NokLis       • 
Tasted  not  the  food  before  them 
0%  waited  on  the  others, 

Only  served  their  guests  in  silence 

o.f^ok<^r^[i\-rusr^^^^^^^^ 

m^l"  ^T'''  P'P«'  *»>•  smoking 
Sd  w  n  ^r  '""^  South-land,    ^ 

S^^ahetlnlf"'*'^'""-' 

'"''  """I  '«aves  of  fragrance. 


193 


194 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


Then  she  said,  "  O  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
Dance  for  us  your  merry  dauces, 
Dance  the  Beggar's  Dance  to  please  us, 
That  the  feast  may  be  more  joyous, 
That  the  time  may  pass  more  gayly, 
And  our  guests  be  more  contented  !  " 

Then  the  handsome  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
He  the  idle  Yenadizze, 
He  the  merry  mischief-maker. 
Whom  the  people  called  the  Storm-Fool, 
Rose  among  the  guests  assembled. 

Skilled  was  he  in  sports  and  pastimes. 
In  the  merry  dance  of  snow-shoes, 
In  the  play  of  quoits  and  ball-play  ; 
Skilled  was  he  in  games  of  hazard. 
In  all  games  of  skill  and  hazard, 
Pugasaing,  the  Bowl  and  Counters, 
Kuntassoo,  the  Game  of  Plum-stones. 
Though  the  warriors  called  him  Faint-Heart, 
Called  him  coward,  Shaugodaya, 
Idler,  gambler,  Yenadizze, 
Little  heeded  he  their  jesting. 
Little  cared  he  for  their  insults, 
For  the  women  and  the  maidens 
Loved  the  handsome  Pau-Puk-Keewis. 

He  was  dressed  in  shirt  of  doeskin. 
White  and  soft,  and  fringed  with  ermine. 
All  inwrought  with  beads  of  wampum  ; 
He  was  dressed  in  deer-skin  leggings. 
Fringed  with  hedgehog  quills  and  ermine. 
And  in  moccasins  of  buck-skin. 
Thick  with  quills  and  beads  embroidered. 
On  his  head  were  plumes  of  swan's  down, 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


195 


30l, 

les, 


s. 
,int-Heart, 


as. 

b» 
cmine, 

rs,  ^ 
Irmine, 

Idered. 
down, 


On  his  heels  were  tails  of  foxes, 
In  one  hand  a  fan  of  feathers, 
And  a  pipe  was  in  the  other. 

Barred  with  streaks  of  red  and  yellow, 
Streaks  of  bluo  and  bright  vermilion. 
Shone  the  face  of  Pau-Puk-Keewis. 
From  his  forehead  fell  his  tresses, 
Smooth,  and  parted  like  a  woman's. 
Shining  bright  with  oil,  and  plaited. 
Hung  with  braids  of  scented  grasses, 
As  among  the  guests  assembled. 
To  the  sound  of  flutes  and  singing. 
To  the  sound  of  drums  and  voices, 
Rose  the  handsome  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
And  began  his  mystic  dances. 

First  he  danced  a  solemn  measure, 
Very  slow  in  step  and  gesture. 
In  and  out  among  the  pine-trees, 
Through  the  shadows  and  the  sunshine, 
Treading  softly  like  a  panther. 
Then  more  swiftly  and  still  swifter. 
Whirling,  spinning  round  in  circles. 
Leaping  o'er  the  guests  assembled. 
Eddying  round  and  round  the  wigwam. 
Till  the  leaves  went  whirling  with  him, 
Till  the  dust  and  wind  together 
Swept  in  eddies  round  about  him. 

Then  along  the  sandy  margin 
Of  the  lake,  the  Big-Sea-Water, 
On  he  sped  with  frenzied  gestures. 
Stamped  upon  the  sand,  and  tossed  it 
Wildly  in  the  air  around  him ; 
Till  the  wind  became  a  whirlwind. 


196 


THE  SONG  OF  HI  A  \VA  THA 


\ 


Till  the  sand  was  blown  and  sifted 
Like  great  snowtliifts  o'er  the  landscape, 
Heaping  all  the  shores  with  Sand  Dunes, 
Sand  Hills  of  the  Nagow  Wudjoo! 

Thus  the  merry  Pau-Puk-Keewis 
Danced  bis  Beggar's  Dance  to  please  them, 
And,  returning,  sat  down  laughing 
There  among  the  guests  assifmbled, 
Sat  and  fanned  himself  serenely 
With  his  fan  of  turkey-feathers. 

Then  they  said  to  Chibiabos, 
To  the  friend  of  Hiawatha, 
To  the  sweetest  of  all  singers, 
To  the  best  of  all  musicians, 
*'  Sing  to  us,  O  Chibiabos  ! 
Songs  of  love  and  songs  of  longing, 
That  the  feast  may  be  more  joyous. 
That  the  time  may  pass  more  gayly, 
And  our  guests  be  more  contented  I " 

And  the  gentle  Chibiabos 
Sang  in  accents  sweet  and  tender, 
Sang  in  tones  of  deep  emotion, 
Songs  of  love  and  songs  of  longing ; 
Looking  still  at  Hiawatha, 
Looking  at  fair  Laughing  Water, 
Sang  he  softly,  sang  in  this  wise : 

"  Onaway !     Awake,  beloved  ! 
Thou  the  wild-flower  of  the  forest ! 
Thou  the  wild-bird  of  the  prairie  ! 
Thou  with  eyes  so  soft  and  fawn-like ! 

"  If  thou  only  lookest  at  me, 
I  am  happy,  I  am  happy, 
As  the  lilies  of  the  prairie, 
When  they  feel  the  dew  upon  them ! 


(( 


J''^  ^"^Om  OP  JaAJrATJU 


'  ^^weet  thy  hivath  is  -m  fl.    t 

In  the  Moon  wl.  ^'veiHi.^., 

3iviooiiwh(.nJeave.surefaI]u,a. 
1^0(38  not  all  the  hlood  uN        ^' 

Si"«s  with  joy  2e    ;  T  '"  *^'^^^' 

As  the  sioh  no-  !  1   .  ^T  "^'^  "^'^»- '"«, 

-in  tlie  pleasant  Moon  of  ^f,.„    i       . 
"  Wi,      ^1  ^  ^navvheriies ' 

n  J,en  thou  art  not  pleased   ill    '  i 
Then  niv  Imtrt  ia      i      P^^'iscft,  beloved, 

As  thp  .^  •  •        .    ''''^  '"^^^  darkened 
As  the  shining  river  darkens  ' 

VVhen  the  clouds  dron  ./,o  7 

"  Wh««  +u  .  ^  '^^adows  on  it ! 

VYhen  thou  smilest,  my  beloved 
Then  my  troubled  heart ,'.  I   .  f/'^''' 
As  in  sunshine  gleam   L'^,  .'^"f^^tened, 

That  the  eold  wld  it,  ?^   ' 
« o    M       ,  "laKes  m  rivers 

omiles  the  ^avi^h  «    i       ./''^^^S' 

^"   I  lose  the  way  of  sniilmg        ' 

O^way !  awake,  beloved '  " 
Ihus  the  gentle  Chibiabos 

And  %o„,  the  great  boaster,      ^  • 

«e  the  fnend  of  old  Nokomis 


397 


i 

ft 


198  Tin:  SON  a  or  uiawatua 

Jeiilous  of  the  sweet  inusician, 
JeulouH  of  the  applause  they  gave  him, 
Saw  ill  all  tiie  eyes  around  him, 
Saw  in  all  their  looks  and  j^esturos, 
That  the  v/edding  gut^sts  assembled 
Longed  to  hear  his  pleasant  stories, 
His  immeasurable  falsehoods. 

Very  boastful  was  lagoo  ; 
Never  heard  he  an  adventure 
But  himself  had  met  a  greater ; 
Never  any  deed  of  daring 
But  himself  had  done  a  bolder  ; 
Never  any  marvellous  story 
But  himself  <!ould  tell  a  stranger. 

Would  you  listen  to  his  boasting, 
Would  you  only  give  him  credeuee, 
No  one  ever  shot  an  arrow 
Half  so  far  and  high  as  he  had ; 
Ever  caught  so  many  fishes, 
Ever  killed  so  many  reindeer. 
Ever  trapped  so  many  beaver  ! 

None  could  run  so  fast  as  he  coidd, 
None  could  dive  so  deep  as  he  could. 
None  could  swim  so  far  as  he  could  ; 
None  had  made  so  many  journeys, 
None  had  seen  so  many  wonders, 
As  this  wonderful  lagoo. 
As  this  marvellous  story-teller  ! 

Thus  his  name  became  a  by-word 
And  a  jest  among  the  people  ; 
And  whene'er  a  boastful  hunter 
Praised  his  own  address  too  highly, 
Or  a  warrior,  home  returning. 


THE   SONG   OF  III  AW  AT  II A 

Talked  too  inuoh  ot  his  aehievomeuts, 
All  his  hearers  eried,  "  lagoo  I 
Hero  's  Iaj;oo  eoiii-!  amonj^  us  !  '* 

II(!  it  was  who  carved  the  eradlo 
Of  the  little  Hiawatha, 
Carved  its  framework  out  of  linden, 
Bound  ii,  strong  with  reindeer  sinews  ; 
He  it  was  who  taught  him  later 
How  to  make  his  bows  and  arrows, 
How  to  make  the  bows  of  ash-tree, 
And  the  arrows  of  the  oak-tree. 
So  among  the  guests  assembled 
At  my  Hiawatha's  wedding 
Sat  lagoo,  old  and  ugly, 
Sat  the  marvellous  story-teller. 

And  they  said,  *'  O  good  lagoo, 
Tell  us  now  a  tale  of  wonder. 
Tell  us  of  some  strange  adventure, 
That  the  feast  may  be  more  joyous, 
That  the  time  may  pass  more  gayly, 
And  our  guests  be  more  eontented  I  '* 

And  lagoo  answered  straightway, 
"  You  shall  hear  a  tale  of  wonder, 
You  shall  hear  the  strange  adventures 
Of  Osseo,  the  Magician, 
From  the  Evening  Star  descended." 


190 


200 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


XII. 


THE   SON   OF  THE   EVENING   STAR. 


Can  it  he  the  sun  descending 
O'er  the  level  plain  of  water  ? 
Or  the  Red  Swan  floating,  flying, 
Wounded  by  the  magic  arrow, 
Staining  all  the  waves  with  crimson, 
With  the  crimson  of  its  life-blood, 
Filling  all  the  air  with  splendor. 
With  the  splendor  of  its  plumage  ? 

Yes  ;  it  is  the  sun  descending. 
Sinking  down  into  the  water  ; 
All  the  sky  is  stained  with  purple. 
All  the  water  flushed  with  crimson  I 
No  ;  it  is  the  Red  Swan  floating. 
Diving  down  beneath  the  water ; 
To  the  sky  its  wings  are  lifted. 
With  its  blood  the  waves  are  reddened ! 

Over  it  the  Star  of  Evening 
Melts  and  trembles  through  the  purple. 
Hangs  suspended  in  the  twilight. 
No  ;  it  is  a  bead  of  wampum 
On  the  robes  of  the  Great  Spirit 
As  he  passes  through  the  twilight, 
Walks  in  silence  through  the  heavens. 

This  with  joy  beheld  Tagoo 
And  he  said  in  haste  :  "  Behold  it ! 
See  the  sacred  Star  of  Evening ! 
You  shall  hear  a  tale  of  wonder, 
Hear  the  story  of  Osseo, 
Son  of  the  Evening  Star,  Osseo ! 


.oT.':"""""""-- 

SvO    «'''''" ''''-•-f  wit        ' 
Only  Oweenee,  the  younc^est         ' 
She  the  wilful  n„rl  ti      *     ' 
She  the  silent  T  ''"^'ward, 

.f.*^.^='''««' of  the  sister,. 

M arrie"  tr/h  "T™'' '''»"'-' 

J'  v^weenee,  the  youno-esf 
gauged  and  fl„„teJall  h     jo.ers 

AU  her  yom,g  and  handsome  sSs 
Ofrp^l-Osseo,       -' 

^;^,b„t\eant!fj;:nt 
V»^as  the  spirit  of  Osseo, 

Star«yendernt::r;a^rr 

Alts  fire  was  in  his  bosom, 
All  ts  beauty  in  hi3  spirit,  ' 
All  .ts  mystery  in  his  being, 

And  her  lovers,  the  retecttd 
Handsome  men  with  h»I  J  .      ' 

Handsome  men  ^th  °*  ''^'"P""'. 

Pointed  at  heTirderSr^^-^f-tiers. 


201 


j^ 


I . 


r:  •    i 


!•■    ' 


|!  l!. 


202  THE   SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 

Followed  her  with  jest  and  laughter. 
But  she  said  :  '  I  care  not  for  you, 
Care  not  for  your  belts  of  wampum, 
Care  not  for  your  paint  and  feathers, 
Care  not  for  your  :  jsts  and  laughter  ; 
I  am  happy  with  Osseo  ! ' 

"  Once  to  some  great  feast  invited, 
Through  the  damp  and  dusk  of  evening. 
Walked  together  the  ten  sisters. 
Walked  together  with  their  husbands  ; 
Slowly  followed  old  Osseo, 
With  fair  Oweenee  beside  him ; 
All  the  others  chatted  gayly. 
These  two  only  walked  in  silence. 

"  At  the  western  sky  Osseo 
Gazed  intent,  as  if  imploring. 
Often  stopped  and  gazed  imploring 
At  the  trembling  Star  of  Evening, 
At  the  tender  Star  of  Woman  ; 
And  they  heard  him  murmur  softly, 

*  Ahy  showain  nemeshin,  JVosa  ! 
Pity,  pity  me,  my  father  ! ' 

" '  Listen ! '  said  the  eldest  sister, 

*  He  is  praying  to  his  father  ! 
What  a  pity  that  the  old  man 
Does  not  stumble  in  the  pathway. 
Does  not  break  his  neck  by  falling  !  * 
-And  they  laughed  till  all  the  forest 
Rang  with  their  unseemly  laughter. 

"  On  their  pathway  through  the  woodlands 
Lay  an  oak,  \y)j  storms  uprooted, 
Lay  the  great  trunk  of  an  oak-tree. 
Buried  half  in  leaves  and  mosses. 


™E  SONG   OP  HUWATHA  203 

Mouldering,  crumhlinrr  i 

And  Osse„:.Cherr ''"'•''<>"-• 
Gave  a  shout,  a  cry  of  anguish 

Leaped  .„t„  its  yawning  etvoi 
At  one  end  went  in  an  old  man 
Wasted   wrinkled,  old,  and  u2  • 

Sand^'^  *"""«  "  y-"?  -an, 

i  BUS  Usseo  was  transfigured 

T^us  restored  to  youth  and^ell. 
^ut,  alas  for  good  Osseo,  ^ 

And  for  Oweenee,  the  faithful  ! 
ctr^!^^'  '~'  ^"^  '^"*  transfigured 

Waited,  wnnkled,  old,  and  ugly 
Ajid  the  sisters  and  their  husbands 

Laughed  until  the  echoing  forett 
Bang  w,th  their  unseeud/la„Xr. 

-£f.t:it-;-»Lr- 

t  I  ir  ^^'^^^^art,  Nenemoosha 
ooothed  her  wif],  o^*^         ,  *""osna, 

Tffl  they  reaeled  thi  l!,"'"'''  f  '''"''''««'. 
Till  thev  TTa      *     °''^''  "^  f^a^ting, 

To  the  tender  Star  of  CnlTf  ' 

At  A?''  '"  "''"""'  '»»'  in  dreaminB. 
At  the  banquet  sat  Osseo ;  ^• 

AUweremerry.au  were  happy, 
AU  were  joyous  but  Osseo. 


-  $1 


•i  :l  ■: 


I    l!^5 


204  THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 

Neither  food  nor  drink  he  tasted, 
Neither  did  he  speak  nor  listen, 
But  as  one  bewildered  sat  he, 
Looking  dreamily  and  sadly, 
First  at  Oweenee,  then  upward 
At  the  gleaming  sky  above  them. 

"  Then  a  voice  was  heard,  a  whisper, 
Coming  from  the  starry  distance, 
Coming  from  the  empty  vastness, 
Low,  and  musical,  and  tender  ; 
And  the  voice  said  :  '  O  Osseo  ! 
O  my  son,  my  best  beloved  ! 
Broken  are  the  spells  that  bound  you, 
All  the  charms  of  the  magician. 
All  the  magic  powers  of  evil ; 
Come  to  me  ;  ascend,  Osseo  I 

"  *  Taste  the  food  that  stands  before  you : 
It  is  blessed  and  enchanted. 
It  has  magic  virtues  in  it. 
It  will  change  you  to  a  spirit. 
All  your  bowls  and  all  your  kettles 
Shall  be  wood  and  clay  no  longer ; 
But  the  bowls  be  changed  to  v/ampum. 
And  the  kettles  shall  be  silver ; 
They  shall  shine  like  shells  of  scarlet. 
Like  the  fire  shall  gleam  and  glimmer. 

"  'And  the  women  shall  no  longer 
Bear  the  dreary  doom  of  labor, 
But  be  changed  to  birds,  and  glisten 
With  the  beauty  of  the  starlight. 
Painted  with  the  dusky  splendors 
Of  the  skies  and  clouds  of  evening ! ' 

*'  What  Osseo  heard  as  whispers. 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


205 


What  as  words  he  comprehended, 
Was  but  music  to  the  others, 
Music  as  of  birds  afar  off, 
Of  the  whippoorwill  afar  off. 
Of  the  lonely  Wavvonaissa 
Singing  in  the  darksome  forest. 

"  Then  the  lodge  began  to  tremble. 
Straight  began  to  shake  and  tremble, 
And  they  felt  it  rising,  rising, 
Slowly  through  the  air  ascending, 
From  the  darkness  of  the  tree-tops 
Forth  into  the  dewy  starlight. 
Till  it  passed  the  topmost  branches ; 
And  behold !  the  wooden  dishes 
All  were  changed  to  shells  of  scarlet ! 
And  behold !  the  earthen  kettles 
All  were  changed  to  bowls  of  silver ! 
And  the  roof-poles  of  the  wigwam 
Were  as  glittering  rods  of  silver. 
And  the  roof  of  bark  upon  them 
As  the  shining  shards  of  beetles. 

"  Then  Osseo  gazed  around  him. 
And  he  saw  the  nine  fair  sisters, 
All  the  sisters  and  their  husbands, 
Changed  to  birds  of  various  plumage. 
Some  were  jays  and  some  were  magpies. 
Others  thrushes,  others  blackbirds ; 
And  they  hopped,  and  sang,  and  twittered, 
Perked  and  fluttered  all  their  feathers, 
Strutted  in  their  shining  plumage. 
And  their  tails  like  fans  unfolded. 

"  Only  Oweenee,  the  youngest. 
Was  not  changed,  but  sat  in  silence, 


t 


i  ^1 


r'  '^ 


i:l 


206  THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 

Wasted,  wrinkled,  old,  and  ugly, 
Looking  sadly  at  the  others ; 
Till  Osseo,  gazing  upward. 
Gave  another  cry  of  anguish, 
Such  a  cry  as  he  had  uttered 
By  the  oak-tree  in  the  forest. 

"  Then  returned  her  youth  and  beauty, 
And  her  soiled  and  tattered  garments 
Were  transformed  to  robes  of  ermine, 
And  her  staff  became  a  feather. 
Yes,  a  shining  silver  feather  ! 

"  And  again  the  wigwam  trembled. 
Swayed  and  rushed  through  airy  currents. 
Through  transparent  cloud  and  vapor, 
And  amid  celestial  splendors 
On  the  Evening  Star  alighted, 
As  a  snow-flake  falls  on  snow-flake. 
As  a  leaf  drops  on  a  river. 
As  the  thistle-down  on  water. 

"  Forth  with  cheerful  words  of  welcome 
Came  the  father  of  Osseo, 
He  with  radiant  locks  of  silver, 
He  with  eyes  serene  and  tender. 
And  he  said  : '  My  son,  Osseo, 
Hang  the  cage  of  birds  you  bring  there. 
Hang  the  cage  with  rods  of  silver, 
And  the  birds  with  glistening  feathers, 
At  the  doorway  of  my  wigwam.' 

"  At  the  door  he  hung  the  bird-cage. 
And  they  entered  in  and  gladly 
Listened  to  Osseo's  father. 
Ruler  of  the  Star  of  Evening, 
As  he  said  :  *  O  my  Osseo ! 


THE   SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


207 


Luty, 

;s 


rrents, 
»or, 


i^elcome 


there, 


lers, 


3age, 


I  have  had  compassion  on  you, 

Given  you  back  your  youth  and  beauty, 

Into  birds  of  various  plumage 

Changed  your  sisters  and  their  husbands ; 

Changed  them  thus  because  they  mocked  you 

In  the  figure  of  the  old  man. 

In  that  aspect  sad  and  wrinkled, 

Could  not  see  your  heart  of  passion, 

Could  not  see  your  youth  immortal ; 

Only  Oweenee,  the  faithful, 

Saw  your  naked  heart  and  loved  you. 

"  *  In  the  lodge  that  glimmers  yonder, 
In  the  little  star  that  twinkles 
Through  the  vapors,  on  the  left  hand. 
Lives  the  envious  Evil  Spirit, 
The  Wabeno,  the  magician, 
Who  transformed  you  to  an  old  man. 
Take  heed  lest  his  beams  fall  on  you, 
For  the  rays  he  darts  around  him 
Are  the  power  of  his  enchantment. 
Are  the  arrows  that  he  uses.' 

"  Many  years,  in  peace  and  quiet. 
On  the  peaceful  Star  of  Evening 
Dwelt  Osseo  with  his  father  ; 
Many  years,  in  song  and  flutter. 
At  the  doorway  of  the  wigwam. 
Hung  the  cage  with  rods  of  silver. 
And  fair  Oweenee,  the  faithful, 
Bore  a  son  unto  Osseo, 
With  the  beauty  of  his  mother. 
With  the  courage  of  his  father. 

"  And  the  boy  grew  up  and  prospered. 
And  Osseo,  to  delight  him, 


-    . ^    ft' 


208 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWArUA 


Made  him  little  bows  and  arrows, 
Opened  the  great  cage  of  silver, 
And  let  loose  his  aunts  and  uncles, 
All  those  birds  with  glossy  feathers, 
For  his  little  son  to  shoot  at. 

"  Round  and  round  they  wheeled  and  darted, 
Filled  the  Evening  Star  with  music, 
With  their  songs  of  joy  and  freedom  ; 
Filled  the  Evening  Star  with  splendor, 
With  the  fluttering  of  their  plumage  ; 
Till  the  boy,  the  little  hunter, 
Bent  his  bow  and  shot  an  arrow, 
Shot  a  swift  and  fatal  arrow, 
And  a  bird,  with  shining  feathers. 
At  his  feet  fell  wounded  sorely. 

"  But,  O  wondrous  transformation ! 
'T  was  no  bird  he  saw  before  him, 
'T  was  a  beautiful  young  woman. 
With  the  arrow  in  her  bosom  ! 

"  When  her  blood  fell  on  the  planet, 
On  the  sacred  Star  of  Evening, 
Broken  was  the  spell  of  magic. 
Powerless  was  the  strange  enchantment. 
And  the  youth,  the  fearless  bowman. 
Suddenly  felt  himseli  descending. 
Held  by  unseen  hands,  but  sinking 
Downward  through  the  empty  spaces. 
Downward  through  the  clouds  and  vapors. 
Till  he  rested  on  an  island. 
On  an  island,  green  and  grassy. 
Yonder  in  the  Big-Sea- Water. 

"  After  him  he  saw  descending 
All  the  birds  with  shining  feathers, 


THE  SONG   OF  JIIAWATHA 


200 


mors, 


Fluttering,  falling,  wafted  downward, 
Like  the  painted  leaves  of  Autumn  ; 
And  the  lodge  with  poles  of  silver, 
Witii  its  roof  like  wings  of  beetles. 
Like  the  shining  shards  of  beetles, 
By  the  winds  of  heaven  uplifted, 
Slowly  sank  upon  the  island, 
Bringing  back  the  good  Osseo, 
Bringing  Oweenee,  the  faithful. 

*'  Then  the  birds,  again  transfigured, 
Reassumed  the  shape  of  mortals, 
Took  their  shape,  but  r  t  their  stature  ; 
They  remained  as  Little  People, 
Like  the  pygmies,  the  Puk-Wudjies, 
And  on  pleasant  nights  of  Summer, 
When  the  Evening  Star  was  shining, 
Hand  in  hand  they  danced  together 
Oil  the  island's  craggy  headlands, 
On  the  sand-beach  low  and  level. 

"  Still  their  glittering  lodge  is  seen  there, 
On  the  tranquil  Summer  evenings, 
And  upon  the  shore  the  fisher 
Sometimes  hears  their  happy  voices, 
Sees  them  dancing  in  the  starlight !  " 

When  the  story  was  completed, 
When  the  wondrous  tale  was  ended, 
Looking  round  upon  his  listeners, 
Solemnly  lagoo  added : 
'  There  are  great  men,  I  have  known  such, 
Whom  their  people  understand  not, 
Whom  they  even  make  a  jest  of. 
Scoff  and  jeer  at  in  derision. 
From  the  story  of  Osseo 
Let  us  learn  the  fate  of  jesters !  " 


::i 


210 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


All  the  wedding  giiestH  delighted 
Listened  to  the  niiirvellous  story, 
Listened  laughing  :ind  applauding, 
And  they  whispered  to  each  other : 
"  Does  ho  mean  himself,  I  wonder  ? 
And  are  we  the  aunts  and  uncles  ?  " 

Then  again  sang  Chibiabos, 
Sang  a  song  of  love  and  longing, 
In  those  accents  sweet  and  tender, 
In  those  tones  of  pensive  sadness, 
Sang  a  maiden's  lamentation 
For  her  lover,  her  Algonquin. 

"  When  I  think  of  my  beloved, 
Ah  me  I  think  of  my  beloved. 
When  my  heart  is  thinking  of  him, 
O  my  sweetheart,  my  Algonquin  I 

"  Ah  me  !  when  I  parted  from  him, 
Bound  my  neck  he  hung  the  wampum. 
As  a  pledge,  the  snow-white  wampum, 
O  my  sweetheart,  my  Algonquin  ! 

"  I  will  go  with  you,  he  whispered. 
Ah  me  !  to  your  native  country  ; 
Let  me  go  with  you,  he  whispered, 
O  my  sweetheart,  my  Algonquin  I 

"  Far  away,  away,  I  aiis  vered, 
VeT-y  far  away,  I  answered. 
Ah  me  !  is  my  native  country, 
O  my  sweetheart,  my  Algonquin  I 

"  When  I  looked  back  to  behold  him, 
Where  we  parted,  to  behold  him, 
After  me  he  still  was  gazing, 
O  my  sweetheart,  my  Algonquin ! 
By  the  tree  he  still  was  standing. 


(( 


THE  SONG    OF  II  f  AW  A  Til  A 

By  tho  fallon  tree  was  standing, 
Tliat  had  dropped  into  the  water, 
O  my  sweetheart,  my  Algonqnin  ! 

"  When  I  think  of  my  beloved, 
Ah  me !  think  of  my  beh)ved, 
When  my  heart  is  thinking  of  him, 
O  my  sweetheart,  my  Algonquin  I  " 

Such  was  Hiawatha's  Wedding, 
Sueh  the  dance  of  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
Such  the  story  of  lagoo. 
Such  the  songs  of  Chibiabos  ; 
Thus  the  wedding  banquet  ended. 
And  the  wedding  guests  departed, 
Leaving  Hiawatha  happy 
With  the  night  and  Minnehaha. 

xni. 

BLESSING  THE  C0IINFIELD8. 

Sing,  O  Song  of  Hiawatha, 

Of  the  happy  days  that  followed, 

In  the  land  of  the  Ojibways, 

In  the  pleasant  land  and  peaceful ! 

Sing  the  mysteries  of  Mondamin, 

Sing  the  Blessing  of  the  Cornfields ! 

Buried  was  the  bloody  hatchet. 
Buried  was  the  dreadful  war-club. 
Buried  were  all  warlike  weapons. 
And  the  war-cry  was  forgotten. 
There  was  peace  among  the  nations  ; 
Unmolested  roved  the  hunters, 
Built  the  birch  canoe  for  sailing. 


211 


.  I 


212 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


m 


U 


Caught  tho  fish  in  hike  and  i-ivor, 
Shot  tiiu  ilecr  and  trappud  tlu;  bouvcr  ; 
Unniulfstcd  wurked  thu  women, 
Made  their  HUgar  from  the  maple, 
Gathered  wild  rico  in  the  meadowH, 
Dressed  the  skins  of  doer  and  beaver. 

All  around  the  ha])py  village 
Stood  the  maize-fields,  green  and  shining, 
"Waved  the  green  jdumes  of  Mondamin, 
Waved  his  soft  and  sunny  tresses. 
Filling  all  the  hind  with  plenty. 
'T  was  the  women  who  in  Spring-time 
Planted  the  broad  fields  and  fruitful, 
Buried  in  the  earth  Mondamin ; 
'T  was  the  women  who  in  Autumn 
Stripped  the  yellow  husks  of  harvest. 
Stripped  the  garments  from  Mondamin, 
Even  as  Hiawatha  taught  them. 

Once,  when  all  tho  maize  was  planted, 
Hiawatha,  wise  and  thoughtful. 
Spake  and  said  to  Minnehaha, 
To  his  wife,  the  Laughing  Water : 
♦*  You  shall  bless  to-night  the  cornfields, 
Draw  a  magic  circle  round  them. 
To  protect  them  from  destruction. 
Blast  of  mildew,  blight  of  insect, 
Wagemin,  the  thief  of  cornfields, 
Paimosaid,  who  steals  the  maize-ear ! 

"  In  the  night,  when  all  is  silence, 
In  the  night,  when  all  is  darkness, 
AVhen  the  Spirit  of  Sleep,  Nepahwin, 
Shuts  the  doors  of  all  the  wigwams, 
So  that  not  an  ear  can  hear  you, 


So  that  not  a,i  .,^0  oa,.  „eo  yo„ 
f '""'l'/'""' your  bo.l  in  ,i^„ 

Walk  around  f Iw.  «  1 1  •'♦ 

J*'7  "  "'"«'«  circle  round  thl^ 
feo  t hat  neither  Wight  nor  JuZ 
Ne.  her  burrowing  worm  „or  inZot 
SM  pass  o'er  the  .nagio  eirel^    ' 

Nor  the  spuler.  Su!.belca.,he, 

T  ""^  "  S''ty  caterpillar,  ^ 

^mg  ot  all  the  caterpilUrs  I  " 

satrc;:;:::r:f -fields 

Kahgabgee^th'eC^rCr. 
VVith  his  band  of  hUni        **^®'^^' 

A^the  i4:^dSl™^- 

Wh  .1  •'""*?'  '^"^^  ^i'h  laughter 
Wi  h  the,r  melaneholy  laught!"         ' 

A  the  words  of  Hiawatha.         ' 
Hear  him  !  "   sa!^   *i. 

Man,  "•'^'   "  hear  the  Wise 

Hear  the  plots  of  Hiawatha  !  '• 

Wlipn  *u  ^''  ^*^^^  and  forest 

W^^en  the  mournful  Wa^vonaissa      ' 


21;j 


t 


214  THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 

Sorrowing  sang  among  the  hemlocks, 

And  the  Spirit  of  Sleep,  Nepahwin, 

Shut  the  doors  of  all  the  wigwams, 

From  her  bed  rose  Laughing  Water, 

Laid  aside  her  garments  wholly. 

And  with  darkness  clothed  and  guaided, 

Unashamed  and  unaffrighted, 

Walked  securely  round  the  cornfields, 

Drew  the  sacred,  magic  circle 

Of  her  footj^rints  round  the  cornfields. 

No  one  but  the  Midnight  only 
Saw  her  bei  uty  in  the  darkness, 
No  one  but  the  Wawonaissa 
Heard  the  panting  of  her  bosom ; 
Guskewau,  the  darkness,  wrapped  her 
Closely  in  his  sacred  mantle. 
So  that  none  might  see  her  beauty, 
So  that  none  might  boast,  "  I  saw  her !  " 

On  the  morrow,  as  the  day  dawned, 
Kahgahgee,  the  King  of  Ravens, 
Gathered  all  his  black  marauders. 
Crows  and  blackbirds,  jays  and  ravens. 
Clamorous  on  the  dusky  tree-tops. 
And  descended,  fasi  and  fearless. 
On  the  fields  of  Hiawatha, 
On  the  grave  of  the  Mondamin. 

"  We  will  drag  Mondamin,"  said  they, 
"  From  the  grave  where  he  is  buried, 
Spite  of  all  the  magic  circles 
Laughing  Water  draws  around  it, 
Spite  of  all  the  sacred  footprints 
Minnehaha  stamps  upon  it !  " 
But  the  wary  Hiawatha, 


Wh»  they  meet  >T"'/  '="'«'"«' 

1  will  teach  you  aU^  I     ""• 
That  .1,  ..     •'  '^  Jesson 

■laat  shall  not  be  soon  f 
He  l,a^    •       .        "  'wgotten    " 
«e  iad  r-sea  hoWo  ti,„  i    i 

To^e..o4^Ti:2tir' 

Seta  ng  down  upon  the  cornfield, 
^^"\''7-i«>  beak  and  S 

f'or  the  body  of  Mondamin.  ' 

And  with  all  their  craft  »„^ 

^hat  the  bravest  quailed  with  terror 

«^  and  left,  by  tens  and  twenties 
And  their  wretched,  lifeless  bodies 


215 


.r.  .  ■ 


216 


THE   SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


'  'I'Mi  '■ 


Hung  aloft  on  poles  for  scarecrows 
Round  the  consecrated  cornfields, 
As  a  signal  of  his  vengeance, 
As  a  warning  to  marauders. 

Only  Kahgahgee,  the  leader, 
Kahgahgee,  the  King  of  Ravens, 
He  alone  was  spared  among  them 
As  a  hostage  for  his  people. 
With  his  prisoner-string  he  bound  him. 
Led  him  captive  to  his  wigwam, 
Tied  him  fast  with  cords  of  elm-bark 
To  the  ridge-pole  of  his  wigwam. 

"  Kahgahgee,  my  raven !  "  said  he, 
"  You  the  leader  of  the  robbers. 
You  the  plotter  of  this  mischief. 
The  contriver  of  this  outrage, 
I  will  keep  you,  I  will  hold  you. 
As  a  hostage  for  your  people. 
As  a  pledge  of  good  behavior ! " 

And  he  left  him,  grim  and  sulky. 
Sitting  in  the  morning  sunshine 
On  the  summit  of  the  wigwam. 
Croaking  fiercely  his  displeasure. 
Flapping  his  great  sable  pinions. 
Vainly  struggling  for  his  freedom. 
Vainly  calling  on  his  people ! 

Summer  passed,  and  Shawondasee 
Breathed  his  sighs  o'er  all  the  landscape. 
From  the  South-land  sent  his  ardors. 
Wafted  kisses  warm  and  tender  ; 
And  the  maize-field  grew  and  ripened. 
Till  it  stood  in  all  the  splendor 
Of  its  garments  green  and  yellow. 


THE   SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


217 


lasee 
Indscape, 

lors, 
3ned, 


Of  its  tassels  and  its  plumage, 
And  the  maize-ears  full  and  shining 
Gleamed  from  bursting  sheaths  of  verdure. 

Then  Nokomis,  the  old  woman, 
Spake,  and  said  to  Minnehaha : 
"  'T  is  the  Moon  when  leaves  are  falling ; 
All  the  wild  rice  has  been  gathered. 
And  the  maize  is  ripe  and  ready  ; 
Let  us  gather  in  the  harvest, 
Let  us  wrestle  with  Mondamin, 
Strip  him  of  his  plumes  and  tassels, 
Of  his  garments  green  and  yellow !  " 

And  the  merry  Laughing  Water 
"Went  rejoicing  from  the  Wigwam, 
With  Nokomis,  old  and  wrinkled, 
And  they  called  the  women  round  them, 
Called  the  young  men  and  the  maidens. 
To  the  harvest  of  the  cornfields, 
To  the  husking  of  the  maize-ear. 

On  the  border  of  the  forest. 
Underneath  the  fragrant  pine-trees. 
Sat  the  old  men  and  the  warriors 
Smoking  in  the  pleasant  shadow. 
In  uninterrupted  silence 
Looked  they  at  the  gamesome  labor 
Of  the  young  men  and  the  women ; 
Listened  to  their  noisy  talking. 
To  their  laughter  and  their  singing, 
Heard  them  chattering  like  the  magpies. 
Heard  them  laughing  like  the  blue-jays. 
Heard  them  singing  like  the  robins. 

And  whene'er  some  lucky  maiden 
Found  a  red  ear  in  the  husking. 


mmm 


-■*■ 


218 


(( 


(( 


(( 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

Found  a  maize-ear  red  as  blood  is, 
Nushka !  "  cried  they  all  together, 
Nushka  !  you  shall  have  a  sweetheart, 
You  shall  have  a  handsome  husband !  " 
Ugh !  "  the  old  men  all  responded 
From  their  seats  beneath  the  pine-trees. 

And  whene'er  a  youth  or  maiden 
Found  a  crooked  ear  in  husking. 
Found  a  maize-ear  in  the  husking 
Blighted,  mildewed,  or  misshapen, 
Then  they  laughed  and  sang  together. 
Crept  and  limped  about  the  cornfields. 
Mimicked  in  their  gait  and  gestures 
Some  old  man,  bent  almost  double. 
Singing  singly  or  together : 
Wagemin,  the  thief  of  cornfields ! 
Paimosaid,  who  steals  the  maize-ear  !  " 

Till  the  cornfields  rang  with  laughter. 
Till  from  Hiawatha's  wigwam 
Kahgahgee,  the  King  of  Ravens, 
Screamed  and  quivered  in  his  anger. 
And  from  all  the  neighboring  tree-tops 
Cawed  and  croaked  the  black  marauders. 
Ugh  !  "  the  old  men  all  responded. 
From  their  seats  beneath  the  p^oe-trees ! 


XIV. 


PICTURE-WRITING. 


In  those  days  said  Hiawatha, 
"  Lo !  how  all  things  fade  and  perish ! 
From  the  memory  of  the  old  men 


THE   SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


219 


»» 


^es. 


er, 
Ids, 

t 

1 

ar  I 
cighter, 


;er, 

je-tops 
Irauders. 

-trees  I 


bish ! 


Pass  away  the  great  traditions, 

The  achievements  of  the  warriors, 

The  adventures  of  the  hunters, 

All  the  wisdom  of  the  Medas, 

All  the  craft  of  the  Wabenos, 

All  the  marvellous  dreams  and  visions 

Of  the  Jossakeeds,  the  Prophets  ! 

"  Great  men  die  and  are  forgotten. 
Wise  men  speak  ;  their  words  of  wisdom 
Perish  in  the  ears  that  hear  them, 
Do  not  reach  the  generations 
That,  as  yet  unborn,  are  waiting 
In  the  great,  mysterious  darkness 
Of  the  speechless  days  that  shall  be  I 

"  On  the  grave-posts  of  our  fathers 
Are  no  signs,  no  figures  painted  ; 
Who  are  in  those  graves  we  know  not, 
Only  know  they  are  our  fathers. 
Of  what  kith  they  are  and  kindred. 
From  what  old,  ancestral  Totem, 
Be  it  Eagle,  Bear,  or  Beaver, 
They  descended,  this  we  know  not. 
Only  know  they  are  our  fathers. 

"  Face  to  face  we  speak  together. 
But  we  cannot  speak  when  absent. 
Cannot  send  our  voices  from  us 
To  the  friends  that  dwell  afar  off ; 
Cannot  send  a  secret  message, 
But  the  bearer  learns  our  secret. 
May  pervert  it,  may  betray  it. 
May  reveal  it  unto  others." 

Thus  said  Hiawatha,  walking 
In  the  solitary  forest. 


t-' 


220 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


Pondering,  musing  in  the  forest, 
On  the  welfare  of  his  people. 

From  his  pouch  he  took  his  colors, 
Took  his  paints  of  different  colors. 
On  the  smooth  bark  of  a  birch-tree 
Painted  many  shapes  and  figures. 
Wonderful  and  mystic  figures, 
And  each  figure  had  a  meaning, 
Each  some  word  or  thought  suggested. 

Gitche  Manito  the  Mighty, 
He,  the  Master  of  Life,  was  painted 
As  an  egg^  with  points  projecting 
To  the  four  winds  of  the  heavens. 
Everywhere  is  the  Great  Spirit, 
Was  the  meaning  of  this  symbol. 

Mitche  Manito  the  Mighty, 
He  the  dreadful  Spirit  of  Evil, 
As  a  serpent  was  depicted. 
As  Kenabeek,  the  great  serpent. 
Very  crafty,  very  cunning. 
Is  the  creeping  Spirit  of  Evil, 
Was  the  meaning  of  this  symbol. 

Life  and  Death  he  drew  as  circles. 
Life  was  white,  but  Death  was  darkened ; 
Sun  and  moon  and  stars  he  painted, 
Man  and  beast,  and  fish  and  reptile. 
Forests,  mountains,  lakes,  and  rivers. 

For  the  earth  he  drew  a  straight  line, 
For  the  sky  a  bow  above  it ; 
White  the  space  between  for  daytime, 
Filled  with  little  stars  for  night-time  ; 
On  the  left  a  point  for  sunrise. 
On  the  right  a  point  for  sunset. 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


221 


3d. 
1 


Les, 
irkened ; 

tie, 
lers. 
it  line, 

time, 
ime; 


On  the  top  a  point  for  noontide, 
And  for  rain  and  cloudy  weather 
Waving  lines  descending  from  it. 

Footprints  pointing  towards  a  wigwam 
Were  a  sign  of  invitation. 
Were  a  sign  of  guests  assembling ; 
Bloody  hands  with  palms  uplifted 
Were  a  symbol  of  destruction. 
Were  a  hostile  sign  and  symbol. 

All  these  things  did  Hiawatha 
Show  unto  his  wondering  people. 
And  interpreted  their  meaning. 
And  he  said  :  "  Behold,  your  grave-posts 
Have  no  mark,  no  sign,  nor  symbol. 
Go  and  paint  them  all  with  figures ; 
Each  one  with  its  household  symbol. 
With  its  own  ancestral  Totem ; 
So  that  those  who  foUow  after 
May  distinguish  them  and  know  them." 

And  they  painted  on  the  grave-posts 
On  the  graves  yet  unforgotten. 
Each  his  own  ancestral  Totem, 
Each  the  symbol  of  his  household  ; 
Figures  of  the  Bear  and  Reindeer, 
Of  the  Turtle,  Crane,  and  Beaver, 
Each  inverted  as  a  token 
That  the  owner  Wi\s  departed. 
That  the  chief  who  bore  the  symbol 
Lay  beneath  in  dust  and  ashes. 

And  the  Jossakeeds,  the  Prophets, 
The  Wabenos,  the  Magicians, 
And  the  Medicine-men,  the  Medas, 
Painted  upon  bark  and  deer-skin 


222  THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

Figures  for  the  songs  they  chanted, 
For  each  song  a  separate  symbol, 
Figures  mystical  and  awful, 
Figures  strange  and  brightly  colored  ; 
And  each  figure  had  its  meaning. 
Each  some  magic  song  suggested. 

The  Great  Spirit,  the  Creator, 
Flashing  light  through  all  the  heaven  ; 
The  Great  Serpent,  the  Kenabeek, 
With  his  bloody  crest  erected, 
Creeping,  looking  into  heaven  ; 
In  the  sky  the  sun,  that  listens. 
And  the  moon  eclipsed  and  dying ; 
Owl  and  eagle,  crane  and  hen-hawk. 
And  the  cormorant,  bird  of  magic  ; 
Headless  men,  that  walk  the  heavens, 
Bodies  lying  pierced  with  arrows. 
Bloody  hands  of  death  uplifted, 
Flags  on  graves,  and  great  war-captains 
Grasping  both  the  earth  and  heaven  I 

Such  as  these  the  shapes  they  painted 
On  the  birch-bark  and  the  deer-skin  ; 
Songs  of  war  and  songs  of  hunting, 
Songs  of  medicine  and  of  magic, 
All  were  written  in  these  figures, 
For  each  figure  had  its  meaning. 
Each  its  separate  song  recorded. 

Nor  forgotten  was  the  Love-Song, 
The  most  subtle  of  all  medicines, 
The  most  potent  spell  of  magic, 
Dangerous  more  than  war  or  hunting ! 
Thus  the  Love-Song  was  recorded. 
Symbol  and  interpretation. 


iing 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

First  a  human  figure  standing, 
Painted  in  the  brightest  scarlet ; 
'T  is  the  lover,  the  musician, 
And  the  meaning  is,  "  My  painting 
Makes  me  powerful  over  others." 

Then  the  figure  seated,  singing, 
Playing  on  a  drum  of  magic. 
And  the  interpretation,  "  Listen  ! 
'T  is  my  voice  you  hear,  ray  singing !  " 

Then  the  same  red  figure  seated 
In  the  shelter  of  a  wigwam. 
And  the  meaning  of  the  symbol, 
"  I  will  come  and  sit  beside  you 
In  the  mystery  of  my  passion  !  " 

Then  two  figures,  man  and  woman, 
Standing  hand  in  hand  together 
With  their  hands  so  clasped  together 
That  they  seemed  in  one  united, 
And  the  words  thus  represented 
Are,  "  I  see  your  heart  within  you. 
And  your  cheeks  are  red  with  blushes  !  " 

Next  the  maiden  on  an  island, 
In  the  centre  of  an  island  ; 
And  the  song  this  shape  suggested 
Was,  "  Though  you  were  at  a  distance, 
Were  upon  some  far-off  island. 
Such  the  spell  I  cast  upon  you, 
Such  the  magic  power  of  passion, 
I  could  straightway  draw  you  to  me  !  " 

Then  the  figure  of  the  maiden 
Sleeping,  and  the  lover  near  her. 
Whispering  to  her  in  her  slumbers, 

Line  18.    That  they  seem  m  one  united, 


223 


n 


'■'  I 


.  ■>"■ '' 


I- 


224 


I 


•   •"  flu. 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


Saying,  "  Though  you  were  far  from  me 

In  the  land  of  Sleep  and  Silence, 

Still  the  voice  of  love  would  reach  you  I  " 

And  the  last  of  all  the  figures 
Was  a  heart  within  a  circle. 
Drawn  within  a  magic  circle  ; 
And  the  image  had  this  meaning : 
"  Naked  lies  your  heart  before  me, 
To  your  naked  heart  I  whisper !  " 

Thus  it  was  that  Hiawatha, 
In  his  wisdom,  taught  the  people 
All  the  mysteries  of  painting. 
All  the  art  of  Picture-Writing, 
On  the  smooth  bark  of  tlie  birch-tree, 
On  the  white  skin  of  the  reindeer. 
On  the  grave-posts  of  the  village. 


XV. 


HIAWATHA  8  LAMENTATION. 

In  those  da}';^  the  Evil  Spirits, 
All  the  Manitos  of  mischief, 
Fearing  Hiawatha's  wisdom, 
And  his  love  for  Chibiabos, 
Jealous  of  their  faithful  friendship. 
And  their  noble  words  and  actions. 
Made  at  length  a  league  against  them, 
To  molest  them  and  destroy  them. 

Hiawatha,  wise  and  wary. 
Often  said  to  Chibiabos, 
"  O  my  brother  !  do  not  leave  me. 
Lest  the  Evil  Spirits  harm  you  !  " 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


22u 


lem, 


Chibiabos,  young  and  heedless, 
Laughing  shook  his  eoal-bhick  tresses, 
Answered  ever  sweet  and  childlike, 
"  Do  not  fear  for  me,  O  brother  I 
Harm  and  evil  come  not  near  mo  !  " 

Once  when  Peboan,  the  Winter, 
Roofed  with  ice  the  Big-Sea- Water, 
When  the  snow-flakes,  whirling  downward, 
Hissed  among  the  withered  oak-leaves. 
Changed  the  pine-trees  into  wigwams, 
Covered  all  the  earth  with  silence,  — 
Armed  with  arrows,  shod  with  snow-shoes. 
Heeding  not  his  brother's  warning, 
Fearing  not  the  Evil  Spirits, 
Forth  to  hunt  the  deer  with  antlers 
All  alone  went  Chibiabos. 
Right  across  the  Big-Sea- Water 
Sprang  with  speed  the  deer  before  him. 
With  the  wind  and  snow  he  followed, 
O'er  the  treacherous  ice  he  followed. 
Wild  with  all  the  fierce  commotion 
And  the  rapture  of  the  hunting. 

But  beneath,  the  Evil  Spirits 
Lay  in  ambush,  waiting  for  him. 
Broke  the  treacherous  ice  beneath  him, 
Dragged  him  downward  to  the  bottom. 
Buried  in  the  sand  his  body. 
Unktahee,  the  god  of  water, 
He  the  god  of  the  Dacotahs, 
Drowned  him  in  the  deep  abysses 
Of  the  lake  of  Gitche  Gumee. 

From  the  headlands  Hiawatha 
Sent  forth  such  a  wail  of  anguish. 


226 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


Such  a  fearful  lamentation, 

That  the  bison  paused  to  listen, 

And  the  wolves  howled  from  the  prairies, 

And  the  thunder  in  the  distance 

Starting  answered  "  Jiaim-wawa  I  " 

Then  his  face  with  black  he  painted, 
With  his  robe  his  head  he  covered., 
In  his  wigwam  sat  lamenting, 
Seven  long  weeks  he  sat  lamenting, 
Uttering  still  this  moan  of  sorrow  :  — 

"  He  is  dead,  the  sweet  musician  1 
He  the  sweetest  of  all  singers  I 
He  has  gone  from  us  forever, 
He  has  moved  a  little  nearer 
To  the  Master  of  all  music, 
To  the  Master  of  all  singing  I 
O  my  brother,  Chibiabos  !  " 

And  the  melancholy  fir-trees 
Waved  their  dark  green  fans  above  him, 
Waved  their  purple  cones  above  him. 
Sighing  with  him  to  console  him, 
Mingling  with  his  lamentation 
Their  complaining,  their  lamenting. 

Came  the  Spring,  and  all  the  forest 
Looked  in  vain  for  Chibiabos ; 
Sighed  the  rivulet,  Sebowisha, 
Sighed  the  rushes  in  u^e  meadow. 

From  the  tree-tops  sang  the  bluebird. 
Sang  the  bluebird,  the  Owaissa, 
"  Chibiabos  I  Chibiabos  I 
He  is  dead,  the  sweet  musician  I  " 

From  the  wigwam  sang  the  robin. 
Sang  the  robin,  the  Opechee, 

Liue  33.    Sang  the  Opechee,  the  robin, 


THE  SONG  OF  IlfAWATIfA 


227 


liries, 


edf 


ve  hixUt 


mm, 


ttg. 
iorest 


luebird, 


I" 


jin. 


"Chibiabos!  Chibiabo^  ! 
Ho  is  (load,  the  swretost  Hingcr  I  " 

And  at  night  through  all  tho  forest 
Went  tile  whi{)poorwill  complaining, 
Wailing  went  the  Wawonaissa, 

"ChibiabosI  Chibiaboa  I 
He  is  (lead,  tho  sweet  musieian  ! 
lie  tho  Hweetest  of  all  singers  !  " 

Then  the  medieine-nicn,  the  Modas, 
Tho  magicians,  tho  Wabenos, 
And  the  Jos^!akeeds,  the  Prophets, 
Came  to  visit  Hiawatha ; 
Built  a  Sacred  Ijodge  beside  him, 
To  appease  him,  to  console  him, 
Walked  in  silent,  grave  procession. 
Bearing  each  a  pouch  of  healing, 
Skin  of  beaver,  lynx,  or  otter, 
Filled  with  magic  roots  and  simples. 
Filled  with  very  potent  medicines. 

When  he  heard  their  steps  approaching, 
Hiawatha  ceased  lamenting, 
Called  no  more  on  Chibiabos  ; 
Naught  he  questioned,  naught  he  answered, 
But  his  mournful  head  uncovered. 
From  his  face  the  mourning  colors 
Washed  he  slowly  and  in  silence, 
Slowly  and  in  silence  followed 
Onward  to  the  Sacred  Wigwam. 

There  a  magic  drink  they  gave  him, 
Made  of  Nahma-wusk,  the  spearmint. 
And  Wabeno-wusk,  the  yarrow, 
Roots  of  power,  and  herbs  of  healing  ; 
Beat  their  drums,  and  shook  their  rattles  ; 


m 


bin, 


228 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


;'■;«<?  >i 


r-m 


Chanted  singly  and  in  chorus, 
Mystic  songs  like  these,  they  chanted. 

"  I  myself,  myself  !  behold  me  ! 
'T  is  the  great  Gray  Eagle  talking ; 
Come,  ye  white  crows,  come  and  hear  him ! 
The  loud-speaking  thunder  helps  me  ; 
All  the  unseen  spirits  help  me  ; 
I  can  hear  their  voices  calling. 
All  around  the  sky  I  hear  them ! 
I  can  blow  you  strong,  my  brotlier, 
I  can  heal  you,  Hiawatha  !  " 

"  Ili-au-ha  !  "  replied  the  chorus, 
"  Way-ha-way !  "  the  mystic  chorus. 

"  Friends  of  mine  are  all  the  serpents  ! 
Hear  me  shake  my  skin  of  hen-hawk  ! 
Mahng,  the  white  loon,  I  can  kill  him ; 
I  can  shoot  your  heart  and  kill  it ! 
I  can  blow  you  strong,  my  brother, 
I  can  heal  you,  Hiawatha  !  " 

"  Hi-au-ha !  "  replied  the  chorus. 
"  Way-ha-way !  "  the  mystic  chorus. 

"  I  myself,  myself !  the  prophet ! 
When  I  sjDeak  the  wigwam  trembles, 
Shakes  the  Sacred  Ijodge  with  terror. 
Hands  unseen  begin  to  shake  it ! 
When  I  walk,  the  sky  I  tread  on 
Bends  and  makes  a  noise  beneath  me  ! 
I  can  blow  you  strong,  my  brother  ! 
Rise  and  speak,  O  Hiawatha !  " 

"  Hi-au-ha !  "  replied  the  chorus, 
"  Way-ha-way  !  "  the  mystic  chorus. 

Then  they  shook  their  medicine-pouches 
O'er  the  head  of  Hiawatha, 


THE   SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


229 


ft 

"   • 

es, 
Irror, 


me 


1 


-poucbes 


Danced  their  medicine-dance  around  him ; 
And  upstarting  wild  and  haggard, 
Like  a  man  from  dreams  awakened, 
He  was  healed  of  all  his  madness. 
As  the  clouds  are  swept  from  heaven, 
Straightway  from  his  brain  departed 
All  his  moody  melancholy  ; 
As  the  ice  is  swept  from  rivers. 
Straightway  from  his  heart  departed 
All  his  sorrow  and  affliction. 

Then  they  summoned  Chibiabos 
From  his  grave  beneath  the  waters. 
From  the  sands  of  Gitche  Gumee 
Summoned  Hiawatha's  brother. 
And  so  mighty  was  the  magic 
Of  that  cry  and  invocation, 
That  he  heard  it  as  he  lay  there 
Underneath  the  Big-Sea- Water ; 
From  the  sand  he  rose  and  listened, 
Heard  the  music  and  the  singing, 
Came,  obedient,  to  the  summons, 
To  the  doorway  of  the  wigwam. 
But  to  enter  they  forbade  him. 

Through  a  chink  a  coal  they  gave  him. 
Through  the  door  a  burning  fire-brand ; 
Ruler  in  the  Laud  of  Spirits, 
Ruler  o'er  the  dead,  they  made  him. 
Telling  him  a  fire  to  kindle 
For  all  those  that  died  thereafter. 
Camp-fires  for  thtir  night  encampments 
On  their  solitary  journey 
To  the  kingdom  of  Ponemah, 
To  the  land  of  the  Hereafter. 


';  ::!'■■ 


230  THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 

From  the  village  of  his  childhood, 
From  the  homes  of  those  who  knew  him, 
Passing  silent  through  the  forest, 
Like  a  smoke-wreath  wafted  sideways, 
Slowly  vanished  Chibiabos ! 
Where  he  passed,  the  branches  moved  not. 
Where  he  trod,  the  grasses  bent  not. 
And  the  fallen  leaves  of  last  year 
Made  no  sound  beneath  his  footsteps. 

Four  whole  days  he  journeyed  onward 
Down  the  pathway  of  the  dead  men ; 
On  the  dead-man's  strawberry  feasted, 
Crossed  the  melancholy  river. 
On  the  swinging  log  be  crossed  it. 
Came  unto  the  Lake  of  Silver, 
In  the  Stone  Canoe  was  carried 
To  the  Islands  of  the  Blessed, 
To  the  land  of  ghosts  and  shadows. 

On  that  journey,  moving  slowly. 
Many  weary  spirits  saw  he. 
Panting  under  heavy  burdens. 
Laden  with  war-clubs,  bows  and  arrows. 
Robes  of  fur,  and  pots  and  kettles. 
And  with  food  that  frierids  had  given 
For  that  solitary  journey. 

"  Ay  !  why  do  the  living,"  said  they, 
"  Lay  such  heavy  burdens  on  us ! 
Better  were  it  to  go  naked. 
Better  were  it  to  go  fasting. 
Than  to  bear  such  heavy  burdens 
On  our  long  and  weary  journey !  " 

Forth  then  issued  Hiawatha, 
Wandered  eastward,  wandered  westward. 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

Teaching  men  the  use  of  simples 

And  the  antidotes  for  poisons, 

And  the  cure  of  all  diseases. 

Thus  was  first  made  known  to  mortals 

All  the  mystery  of  Medamin, 

All  the  sacred  art  of  healing. 


231 


XVI. 


" 


?es 


,tward, 


PAU-PUK-KEEWIS. 

You  shall  hear  how  Pau-Puk-Keewis 
He,  the  handsome  Yenadizze, 
Whom  the  people  called  the  Storm-Fool, 
Vexed  the  village  with  disturbance ; 
You  shall  hear  of  all  his  mischief. 
And  his  flight  from  Hiawatha, 
And  his  wondrous  transmigrations, 
And  the  end  of  his  adventures. 

On  the  shores  of  Gitche  Gumee, 
On  the  dunes  of  Nagow  Wudjoo, 
By  the  shining  Big-Sea-Water 
Stood  the  lodge  of  Pau-Puk-Keewis. 
It  was  he  who  in  his  frenzy 
Whirled  these  drifting  sands  together, 
On  the  dunes  of  Nagow  Wudjoo, 
When,  among  the  guests  acsembled, 
He  so  merrily  and  madly 
Danced  at  Hiawatha's  wedding, 
Danced  the  Beggar*s  Dance  to  please  them. 

Now,  in  search  of  new  adventures. 
From  his  lodge  went  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
Came  with  speed  into  the  village. 


pi'   t  ■ 


232 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


m 


rxf: 


Found  the  young  men  all  assembled 
In  the  lodge  of  old  lagoo, 
Listening  to  his  monstrous  stories, 
To  his  wonderful  adventures. 

He  was  telling  them  the  story 
Of  Ojeeg,  the  Summer-Maker, 
How  he  made  a  hole  in  heaven. 
How  he  climbed  up  into  heaven, 
And  let  out  the  summer-weather, 
The  perpetual,  pleasant  Summer ; 
How  the  Otter  first  essayed  it ; 
How  the  Beaver,  Lynx,  and  Badger 
Tried  in  turn  the  great  achievement. 
From  the  summit  of  the  mountain 
Smote  their  fists  against  the  heavens, 
Smote  against  the  sky  their  foreheads. 
Cracked  the  sky,  but  could  not  break  it ; 
How  the  Wolverine,  uprising. 
Made  him  ready  for  the  encounter. 
Bent  his  knees  down,  like  a  squirrel, 
Drew  his  arms  back,  like  a  cricket. 

"  Once  he  leaped,"  said  old  lagoo, 
"  Once  he  leaped,  and  lo  !  above  him 
Bent  the  sky,  as  ice  in  rivers 
When  the  waters  rise  beneath  it ; 
Twice  he  leaped,  and  lo  !  above  him 
Cracked  the  sky,  as  ice  in  rivers 
When  the  freshet  is  at  highest ! 
Thrice  he  leaped,  and  lo !  above  him 
Broke  the  shattered  sky  asunder. 
And  he  disappeared  within  it, 
And  Ojeeg,  the  Fisher  Weasel, 
With  a  bound  went  in  behind  him  !  " 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 

"  Hark  you !  "  shouted  Pau-Puk-Keewis 
As  he  entered  at  the  doorway  ; 
"  I  am  tired  of  all  this  talking, 
Tired  of  old  lagoo's  stories, 
Tired  of  Hiawatha's  wisdom. 
Here  is  something  to  amuse  you. 
Better  than  this  endless  talking." 

Then  from  out  his  pouch  of  wolf-skin 
Forth  he  drew,  with  solemn  manner. 
All  the  game  of  Bowl  and  Counters, 
Pugasaing,  with  thirteen  pieces. 
White  on  one  side  were  they  painted, 
And  vermilion  on  the  other  ; 
Two  Kenabeeks  or  great  serpents, 
Two  Ininewug  or  wedge-men. 
One  groat  war-club,  Pugamaugun, 
And  one  slender  fish,  the  Keego, 
Four  round  pieces,  Ozawabeeks, 
And  three  Sheshebwug  or  ducklings. 
All  were  made  of  bone  and  painted, 
All  except  the  Ozawabeeks  ; 
These  were  brass,  on  one  side  burnished, 
And  were  black  upon  the  other. 

In  a  wooden  bowl  he  placed  them. 
Shook  and  jostled  them  together, 
Threw  them  on  the  ground  before  him. 
Thus  exclaiming  and  explaining  : 
"  Red  side  up  are  all  the  pieces. 
And  one  great  Kenabeek  standing 
On  the  bright  side  of  a  brass  piece. 
On  a  burnished  Ozawabeek  ; 
Thirteen  tens  and  eight  are  counted." 

Then  again  he  shook  the  pieces, 


233 


234 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


I  \ 


Shook  and  jostled  them  together, 
Threw  them  on  the  ground  before  him, 
Still  exclaiming  and  explaining : 
"  White  are  both  the  great  Kenabeeks, 
White  the  Ininewug,  the  wedge-men, 
Red  are  all  the  other  pieces ; 
Five  tens  and  an  eight  are  counted." 

Thus  he  taught  the  game  of  hazard, 
Thus  displayed  it  and  explained  it. 
Running  through  its  various  ohances, 
Various  changes,  various  meanings  : 
Twenty  curious  eyes  stared  at  him. 
Full  of  eagerness  stared  at  him. 

"  Many  games,"  said  old  lagoo, 
"  Many  games  of  skill  and  hazard 
Have  I  seen  in  different  nations. 
Have  I  played  in  different  countries. 
He  who  plays  with  old  lagoo 
Must  have  very  nimble  fingers ; 
Though  you  think  yourself  so  skilful 
I  can  beat  you,  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
I  can  even  give  you  lessons 
In  your  game  of  Bowl  and  Counters  !  " 

Go  they  sat  and  played  together. 
All  the  old  men  and  the  young  men. 
Played  for  dresses,  weapons,  wampum, 
Played  till  midnight,  played  till  morning. 
Played  until  the  Yenadizze, 
Till  the  cunning  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
Of  their  treasures  had  despoiled  them, 
Of  the  best  of  all  their  dresses. 
Shirts  of  deer-skin,  robes  of  ermine, 
Belts  of  wampum,  crests  of  feathers, 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


235 


rd, 


js, 


les. 


Iftd 


bers 


i» 


ipum, 
Imorning, 

themT 

kine, 
Ihers, 


"Warlike  weapons,  pipes  and  pouches. 
Twenty  eyes  glared  wildly  at  him, 
Like  the  eyes  of  wolves  glared  at  him. 
Said  the  lucky  Pau-Puk-Keewis  : 

**  In  my  wigwam  I  am  lonely, 
In  my  wanderings  and  adventures 
I  have  need  of  a  companion. 
Fain  would  have  a  Meshinauwa, 
An  attendant  and  pipe-bearer. 
I  will  venture  all  these  winnings, 
All  these  garments  heaped  about  me, 
All  this  wampum,  all  these  feathers. 
On  a  single  throw  will  venture 
All  against  the  young  man  yonder ! " 
'T  was  a  youth  of  sixteen  summers, 
'T  was  a  nephew  of  lagoo ; 
Face-in-a-Mist,  the  people  called  him. 

As  the  fire  burns  in  a  pipe-head 
Dusky  red  beneath  the  ashes, 
So  beneath  his  shaggy  eyebrows 
Glowed  the  eyes  of  old  lagoo. 

"  Ugh ! "  he  answered  very  fiercely ; 

"  Ugh  I  "  they  answered  all  and  each  one. 
Seized  the  wooden  bowl  the  old  man, 
Closely  in  his  bony  fingers 
Clutched  the  fatal  bowl,  Onagon, 
Shook  it  fiercely  and  with  fury, 
Made  the  pieces  ring  together 
As  he  threw  them  down  bciore  him. 

Red  were  both  the  great  Kenabeeks, 
Red  the  Ininewug,  the  wedge-men. 
Red  the  Sheshebwug,  the  ducklings. 
Black  the  four  brass  Ozawabeeks, 


236 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


White  aloue  the  fish,  the  Keego  ; 
Only  five  the  pieces  counted  ! 

Then  the  smiling  Pau-Puk-Keewis 
Shook  the  bowl  and  threw  the  pieces ; 
Lightly  in  the  air  he  tossed  them, 
And  they  fell  about  him  scattered  ; 
Dark  and  bright  the  Ozawabeeks, 
Red  and  white  the  other  pieces, 
And  upright  among  the  others 
One  Ininewug  was  standing, 
Even  as  crafty  Pau-Puk-Keewis 
Stood  alone  among  the  players. 
Saying,  "  Five  tens  !  mine  the  game  is  I " 

Twenty  eyes  glared  at  him  fiercely. 
Like  the  eyes  of  wolves  glared  at  him. 
As  he  turned  and  left  the  wigwam. 
Followed  by  his  Meshinauwa, 
By  the  nephew  of  lagoo. 
By  the  tall  and  graceful  stripling, 
Bearing  in  his  arms  the  winnings. 
Shirts  of  deer-skin,  robes  of  ermine. 
Belts  of  wampum,  pipes  and  weapons. 

"  Carry  them,"  said  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
Pointing  with  his  fan  of  feathers, 
"  To  my  wigwam  far  to  eastward. 
On  the  dunes  of  Nagow  Wudjoo  I " 

Hot  and  red  with  smoke  and  gambling 
Were  the  eyes  of  Pau-Puk-Keewis 
As  he  came  forth  to  the  freshness 
Of  the  pleasant  Summer  morning. 
All  the  birds  were  singing  gayly. 
All  the  streamlets  flowing  swiftly. 
And  the  heart  of  Pau-Puk-Keewis 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


237 


j; 


aeisi 

jely, 

him, 

1, 


ine, 
pons, 
eewis, 


kmbling 


as 


hs 


Sang  with  pleasure  as  the  birds  sing, 
Beat  with  triumph  like  the  streamlets, 
As  he  wandered  throuj^h  the  village, 
In  the  early  gray  of  morning. 
With  his  fan  of  turkey-feathers, 
With  his  plumes  and  tufts  of  swan's  down, 
Till  he  reached  the  farthest  wigwam. 
Reached  the  lodge  of  Hiawatha. 

Silent  was  it  and  deserted  ; 
No  one  met  him  at  the  doorway. 
No  one  came  to  bid  him  welcome ; 
But  the  birds  were  singing  round  it, 
In  and  out  and  round  the  doorway. 
Hopping,  singing,  fluttering,  feeding, 
And  aloft  upon  the  ridge-pole 
Kahgahgee,  the  King  of  Ravens, 
Sat  with  fiery  eyes,  and,  screaming. 
Flapped  his  wings  at  Pau-Puk-Keewis. 

"  All  are  gone !  the  lodge  is  empty  !  " 
Thus  it  was  spake  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
In  his  heart  resolving  mischief  ;  — 
"  Gone  is  wary  Hiawatha, 
Gone  the  silly  Laughing  Water, 
Gone  Nokomis,  the  old  woman, 
And  the  lodge  is  left  unguarded  !  " 

By  the  neck  he  seized  the  raven. 
Whirled  it  round  him  like  a  rattle. 
Like  a  medicine-pouch  he  shook  it. 
Strangled  Kahgahgee,  the  raven, 
From  the  ridge-pole  of  the  wigwam 
Left  its  lifeless  body  hanging. 
As  an  insult  to  its  mas  ter, 
As  a  taunt  to  Hiawatha. 


\t'.\ 


)■  :*. 


U       I 


238  THE  HONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

With  a  stealthy  step  he  entered, 
Round  the  lodge  in  wild  disorder 
Threw  the  household  things  about  him» 
Piled  together  in  confusion 
Bowls  of  wood  and  earthen  kettles, 
Kobes  of  buffalo  and  beaver, 
Skins  of  otter,  lynx,  and  ermine, 
As  an  insult  to  Nokomis, 
As  a  taunt  to  Minnehaha. 

Then  departed  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
Whisiling,  singing  through  the  forest, 
Whistliig  gayly  to  the  squirrels. 
Who  from  hollow  boughs  above  him 
Dropped  their  acorn-shells  upon  him. 
Singing  gayly  to  the  wood  birds. 
Who  from  out  the  leafy  darkness 
Answered  with  a  song  as  merry. 

Then  he  climbed  the  rocky  headlands, 
Looking  o'er  the  Gitche  Gumee, 
Perched  himself  upon  their  summit, 
Waiting  full  of  mirth  and  mischief 
The  return  of  Hiawatha. 

Stretched  upon  his  back  he  lay  there  ; 
Far  below  him  plashed  the  waters, 
Plashed  and  washed  the  dreamy  waters ; 
Far  above  him  swam  the  heavens. 
Swam  the  dizzy,  dreamy  heavens  ; 
Round  him  hovered,  fluttered,  rustled, 
Hiawatha's  mountain  chickens, 
Flock-wise  swept  and  wheeled  about  him. 
Almost  brushed  him  with  their  pinions. 

And  he  killed  them  as  he  lay  there, 
Slaughtered  them  by  tens  and  twenties, 


m, 


THE  SONG  OF  III  AW  ATI! A 

Threw  their  bodies  down  the  headland, 
Threw  thoin  on  the  beacli  below  him, 
Till  at  length  Kayoshk,  the  sea-gull, 
Perched  upon  a  crag  above  thenj, 
Shouted  :  "  It  is  Pau-Puk-Keewis  ! 
He  is  slaying  us  by  hundreds  I 
Send  a  message  to  our  brother, 
Tidings  send  to  Hiawatha ! " 


239 


iSt, 


lands, 

k 

E 

bhere ; 
iaters ; 

^led, 

it  him, 
pons. 
|ere, 
ities, 


xvn. 

THE   HUNTING   OF   PAU-PUK-KEEWIS. 

Full  of  wrath  was  Hiawatha 

When  he  came  into  the  village, 

Found  the  people  in  confusion, 

Heard  of  all  the  misdemeanors, 

All  the  malice  and  the  mischief. 

Of  the  cunning  Pau-Puk-Keewis. 

Hard  his  breath  came  through  his  nostrils, 

Through  his  teeth  he  buzzed  and  muttered 

Words  of  anger  and  resentment, 

Hot  and  humming,  like  a  hornet. 
"  I  will  slay  this  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 

Slay  this  mischief-maker  I  "  said  he. 
"Not  so  long  and  wide  the  world  is. 

Not  so  rude  and  rough  the  way  is. 

That  my  wrath  shall  not  attain  him. 

That  my  vengeance  shall  not  reach  him !  " 
Then  in  swift  pursuit  departed 

Hiawatha  and  the  hunters 

On  the  trail  of  Pau-Puk-KeewJs, 

Through  the  forest,  where  he  passed  it, 


I*'     y 


N-  ; 


240 


r//£:  sOiVfv  of  hiawatha 


To  tho  licadliinds  where  ho  rostod  ; 
But  tht;y  found  not  Pau-Puk-Keovvis, 
Only  in  tho  trainpU^d  grassoH, 
In  th^  whoi'tlohorry-huslu'a, 
Found  tlio  couch  where  ho  had  rested, 
Found  the  ini})rcHs  of  his  body. 

From  tho  lowhmdH  far  beneath  them, 
From  the  Muskoday,  tho  meadow, 
Pau-Puk-Keowis,  turning  backward. 
Made  a  gesture  of  defiance, 
Made  a  gesture  of  derision  ; 
And  ah)ud  cried  Hiawatha, 
From  tho  summit  of  tho  mountains : 
"  Not  so  long  and  wide  the  rorld  is. 
Not  so  rude  and  rough  the  VfHy  ^s, 
But  ray  wrath  shall  overtake  you. 
And  my  vengeance  shall  attain  you  I  " 

Over  rock  and  over  river. 
Thorough  bush,  and  brake,  and  forest, 
Ran  the  cunning  Pau-Puk-Keewis  ; 
Like  an  antelope  he  bounded, 
Till  he  came  unto  a  streamlet 
In  the  middle  of  the  forest. 
To  a  streamlet  still  and  tranquil. 
That  had  overflowed  its  margin. 
To  a  dam  made  by  the  beavers. 
To  a  pond  of  quiet  water. 
Where  knee-deep  the  trees  were  standing. 
Where  the  water-lilies  floated. 
Where  the  rushes  waved  and  whispered. 

On  the  dam  stood  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
On  the  dam  of  trunks  and  branches, 
Through  whose  chinks  the  water  spouted, 


THE   SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


241 


banding, 

Uered. 

iwis, 

(es, 
spouted, 


O'er  whoso  suiiiinit  tlowinl  tlu>  Htruainlot. 
From  the  bottom  rosif  the  ht'uver, 
Looked  with  two  great  eyes  of  wonder, 
Eyes  that  seemed  to  ask  a  <iuestiou. 
At  the  strangt^r,  Pau-Piik-Keewis. 

On  the  dam  stood  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
O'er  his  ankles  flowed  the  streandet, 
Flowed  the  bright  and  silvery  water, 
And  he  spake  unto  the  beaver, 
With  a  smile  he  spake  in  this  wise  : 

"  O  my  friend  Ahmeek,  tlie  beaver, 
Cool  and  pleasant  is  the  water ; 
Let  me  dive  into  the  water, 
Let  me  rest  there  in  your  lodges  ; 
Change  me,  too,  into  a  beaver !  " 

Cautiously  replied  the  beaver. 
With  reserve  he  thus  made  answer ; 
"  Let  me  first  eonsult  the  others, 
Let  me  ask  the  other  beavers." 
Down  he  sank  into  the  water, 
Heavily  sank  he,  as  a  stone  sinks, 
Down  among  the  leaves  and  branches. 
Brown  and  matted  at  the  bottom. 

On  the  dam  stood  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
O'er  his  ankles  flowed  the  streamlet. 
Spouted  through  the  chinks  below  him, 
Dashed  upon  the  stones  beneath  him, 
Spread  serene  and  calm  before  him. 
And  the  sunshine  and  the  shadows 
Fell  in  flecks  and  gleams  upon  him. 
Fell  in  little  shining  patches. 
Through  the  waving,  rustling  branches. 

Line  2.    From  the  bottom  rose  a  beaver, 


V*' 


W? 


ii 


(( 


242  THE   SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

From  tlie  bottom  rose  the  beavers, 
Silently  above  the  surface 
Rose  one  head  and  then  another, 
Till  the  pond  seemed  full  of  beavers, 
Full  of  black  and  shining  faces. 

To  the  beavers  Pau-Puk-Keewis 
Spake  entreating,  said  in  this  wise : 
Very  pleasant  is  your  dwelling, 
O  my  friends !  and  safe  from  danger ; 
Can  you  not  with  all  your  cunning, 
All  your  wisdom  and  contrivance, 
Change  me^  too,  into  a  beaver  ?  " 

"  Yes !  "  replied  Ahmeek,  the  beaver, 
He  the  King  of  al^.  the  beavers, 
Let  yourself  slide  down  among  us, 
Down  into  the  tranquil  water." 

Down  into  the  pond  among  them 
Silently  sank  Pau-Puk-Keewis ; 
Black  became  his  shirt  of  deer-skin. 
Black  his  moccasins  and  leggings, 
In  a  broad  black  tail  behind  him 
Spread  his  fox-tails  and  his  fringes ; 
He  was  changed  into  a  beaver. 

"  Make  me  large,"  said  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
Make  me  large  and  make  me  larger, 
Larger  than  the  other  beavers." 
Yes,"  the  beaver  chief  responded. 
When  our  lodge  below  you  enter, 
In  our  wigwam  we  will  make  you 
Ten  times  larger  than  the  others." 

Thus  into  the  clear,  brown  water 
Silently  sank  Pau-Puk-Keewis : 
Found  the  bottom  covered  over 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


243 


;r; 


aver, 


n 


jn. 


ik-Keew'is, 
tev, 


With  the  trunks  of  trees  and  branches, 
Hoards  of  food  against  the  winter, 
Piles  and  heaps  against  the  famine  ; 
Found  the  lodge  with  arching  doorway, 
Leading  into  spacious  chambers. 

Here  they  made  him  large  and  larger. 
Made  him  largest  of  the  beavers. 
Ten  times  larger  than  the  others. 

"  You  shall  be  our  ruler,"  said  they ; 

"  Chief  and  King  of  all  the  beavers." 
But  not  long  had  Pau-Puk-Keewis 
Sat  in  state  among  the  beavers. 
When  there  came  a  voice  of  warning 
From  the  watchman  at  his  station 
In  the  water-flags  and  lilies, 
Saying,  "  Here  is  Hiawatha  I 
Hiawatha  with  his  hunters !  " 

Then  they  heard  a  cry  above  them, 
Heard  a  shouting  and  a  tramping, 
Heard  a  crashing  and  a  rushing, 
And  the  water  round  and  o'er  them 
Sank  and  sucked  away  in  eddies, 
And  they  knew  their  dam  was  broken. 

On  the  lodge's  roof  the  hunters 
Leaped,  and  broke  it  all  asunder  ; 
Streamed  the  sunshine  through  the  crevice. 
Sprang  the  beavers  through  the  doorway, 
Hid  themselves  in  deeper  water. 
In  the  channel  of  the  streamlet ; 
But  the  mighty  Pau-Puk-Keewis 
Could  not  pass  beneath  the  doorway  ; 
He  was  puffed  with  pride  and  feeding. 
He  was  swollen  like  a  bladder. 


I  > ' 


241  THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

Through  the  roof  looked  Hiawatha, 
Cried  aloud,  "  O  Pau-Puk-Keewis  ! 
Vain  are  all  your  craft  and  cunning, 
Vain  your  manifold  disguises ! 
Well  I  know  you,  Pau-Puk-Keewis  i " 
With  their  clubs  they  beat  and  bruised  him, 
Beat  to  death  poor  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
Pounded  him  as  maize  is  pounded. 
Till  his  skull  was  cmshed  to  pieces. 

Six  tall  hunters,  lithe  and  limber. 
Bore  him  home  on  poles  and  branches, 
Bore  the  body  of  the  beaver ; 
But  the  ghost,  the  Jeebi  in  him. 
Thought  and  felt  as  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
Still  lived  on  as  Pau-Puk-Keewis. 

And  it  fluttered,  strove,  and  struggled. 
Waving  hither,  waving  thither. 
As  the  curtains  of  a  wigwam 
Struggle  with  their  thongs  of  deer-skin. 
When  the  wintry  wind  is  blowing  ; 
Till  it  drew  itself  together. 
Till  it  rose  up  from  the  body. 
Till  it  took  the  form  and  features 
Of  the  cunning  Pau-Puk-Keewis 
Vanishing  into  the  forest. 

But  the  wary  Hiawatha 
Saw  the  figure  ere  it  vaiiished. 
Saw  the  form  of  Pau-Puk-Keewis 
Glide  into  the  soft  blue  shadow 
Of  the  pine-tr(jes  of  the  forest ; 
Toward  the  squares  of  white  beyond  it. 
Toward  an  opening  in  the  forest, 
Like  a  wind  it  rushed  and  panted, 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


245 


d. 


Bending  all  the  boughs  before  it, 
And  behind  it,  as  the  rain  comas, 
C;  ne  the  steps  of  Hiawatha. 

To  a  lake  with  many  islands 
Came  the  brcatliless  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
Where  among  the  water-lilies 
Pishnekuh,  the  brant,  were  sailing ; 
Through  the  tufts  of  rushes  floating. 
Steering  through  the  reedy  islands. 
Now  their  broad  black  beaks  they  lifted. 
Now  they  plunged  beneath  the  water. 
Now  they  darkened  in  the  shadow. 
Now  they  brightened  in  the  sunshine. 
"  Pishnekuh  !  "  cried  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
"  Pishnekuh  !  my  brothers  !  "  said  he, 
"  Change  me  to  a  brant  with  plumage. 
With  a  shining  neck  and  feathers. 
Make  me  large,  and  make  me  larger, 
Ten  times  larger  than  the  others." 

Straightway  to  a  brant  they  changed  him, 
With  two  huge  and  dusky  pinions. 
With  a  bosom  smooth  and  rounded, 
With  a  bill  like  two  great  paddles. 
Made  him  larger  than  the  others, 
Tbn  times  larger  than  the  largest. 
Just  as,  shouting  from  the  forest. 
On  the  shore  stood  Hiawatha. 

Up  they  rose  with  cry  and  clamor, 
With  a  whir  and  beat  of  pinions, 
Rose  up  from  tne  reedy  islands, 
From  the  water-flags  and  lilies. 
And  they  said  to  Pau-Puk-Keewis  : 
"  In  your  flying,  look  not  downward, 


246  THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

Take  good  heed,  and  look  not  downward, 
Lest  some  strange  mischance  should  happen, 
Lest  some  great  mishap  befall  you  I  " 

Fast  and  far  they  fled  to  northward, 
Fast  and  far  through  mist  and  sunshine. 
Fed  among  the  moors  and  fen-lands. 
Slept  among  the  reeds  and  rushes. 

On  the  morrow  as  they  journeyed. 
Buoyed  and  lifted  by  the  South-wind, 
Wafted  onward  by  the  South-wind, 
Blowing  fresh  and  strong  behind  them, 
Kose  a  sound  of  human  voices, 
Rose  a  clamor  from  beneath  them. 
From  the  lodges  of  a  village, 
From  the  people  miles  beneath  them. 

For  the  people  of  the  village 
Saw  the  flock  of  brant  with  wonder, 
Saw  the  wings  of  Pau-Puk-Keewis 
Flapping  far  up  in  the  ether. 
Broader  than  two  doorway  curtains. 

Pau-Puk-Keewis  heard  the  shouting. 
Knew  the  voice  of  Pliawatha, 
Knew  the  outcry  of  lagoo, 
And  forgetful  of  the  warning, 
Drew  his  neck  in,  and  looked  downward. 
And  the  wind  that  blew  behind  him 
Caught  his  mighty  fan  of  feathers. 
Sent  him  wheeling,  whirling  downward ! 

All  in  vain  did  Pau-Puk-Keewis 
Struggle  to  regain  his  balance  ! 
Whirling  round  and  round  and  downward. 
He  beheld  in  turn  the  village 
And  in  turn  the  flock  above  him, 


vard, 
happen, 


» 


rd, 
tiine, 


I, 
id, 

> 
lem, 


m. 


IS. 

iting, 


ra 


im 


ward. 


iward ! 


LS 


lownward, 


THE   SONG    OF  HIAWATHA  247 

Saw  the  village  coming  nearor, 
And  the  flock  receding  farther, 
Heard  the  voices  growing  louder. 
Heard  the  shouting  and  the  laughter ; 
Saw  no  more  the  flock  above  him, 
Only  saw  the  earth  beneath  him  ; 
Dead  out  of  the  empty  heaven, 
Dead  among  the  shouting  people. 
With  a  heavy  sound  and  sullen, 
Fell  the  brant  with  broken  pinions. 

But  his  soul,  his  ghost,  his  shadow, 
Still  survived  as  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
Took  again  the  form  and  features 
Of  the  handsome  Yenadizze, 
And  again  went  rushing  onward, 
Followed  fast  by  Hiawatha, 
Crying :  "  Not  so  wide  the  world  is, 
Not  so  long  and  rough  the  way  is. 
But  my  wrath  shall  overtake  you. 
But  my  vengeance  shall  attain  you  !  " 

And  so  near  he  came,  so  near  him, 
That  his  hand  was  stretched  to  seize  him. 
His  right  hand  to  seize  and  hold  him. 
When  the  cunning  Pau-Puk-Keewis 
Whirled  and  spun  about  in  circles. 
Fanned  the  air  into  a  whirlwind, 
Danced  the  dust  and  leaves  about  him, 
And  amid  the  whirling  eddies 
Sprang  into  a  hollow  oak-tree, 
Changed  himself  into  a  serpent. 
Gliding  out  through  root  and  rubbish. 

With  his  right  hand  Hiawatha 
Smote  amain  the  hollow  oak-tree, 


248 


(( 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

Rent  it  into  shreds  and  splinters, 
Left  it  lying  tliere  in  fragments. 
But  in  vain  ;  for  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
Once  again  in  human  figure, 
Full  in  sight  ran  on  before  him, 
Sped  away  in  gust  and  whirlwind. 
On  the  shores  of  Gitche  Gumee, 
Westward  by  the  Big-Sea- Water, 
Came  unto  the  rocky  headlands. 
To  the  Pictured  Rocks  of  sandstone, 
Looking  over  lake  and  landscape. 

And  the  Old  Man  of  the  Mountain, 
He  the  Manito  of  Mountains, 
Opened  wide  his  rocky  doorways. 
Opened  wide  his  deep  abysses. 
Giving  Pau-Puk-Keewis  shelter 
In  his  caverns  dark  and  dreary. 
Bidding  Pau-Puk-Keewis  welcome 
To  his  gloomy  lodge  of  sandstone. 

There  without  stood  Hiawatha, 
Found  the  doorways  closed  against  him, 
With  his  mittens,  Minjekahwun, 
Smote  great  caverns  in  the  sandstone. 
Cried  aloud  in  tones  of  thunder. 
Open  !  I  am  Hiawatha  !  " 
But  the  Old  Man  of  the  Mountain 
Opened  not,  and  made  no  answer 
From  the  silent  crags  of  sandstone. 
From  the  gloomy  rock  abysses. 

Then  he  raised  his  hands  to  heaven. 
Called  imploring  on  the  tempest, 
Called  Waywassimo,  the  lightning, 
And  the  thunder,  Annemeekee ; 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


249 


bain, 


le 

e. 

» 
stone, 


un 
er 

me, 

leaven, 

|t, 

ling, 


And  they  came  with  night  and  darkness, 
Sweeping  down  the  Big-Sea-Water 
From  the  distant  Thunder  Mountains  ; 
And  the  trembling  Pau-Puk-Keewis 
Heard  the  footsteps  of  the  thunder, 
Saw  the  red  eyes  of  the  lightning, 
Was  afraid,  and  crouched  and  trembled. 

Then  Waywassimo,  the  lightning, 
Smote  the  doorways  of  the  caverns. 
With  his  war-club  smote  the  doorways, 
Smote  the  jutting  crags  of  sandstone. 
And  the  thunder,  Annemeekee, 
Shouted  down  into  the  caverns, 
Saying,  "  Where  is  Pau-Puk-Keewis  !  " 
And  the  crags  fell,  and  beneath  them 
Dead  among  the  rocky  ruins 
Lay  the  cunning  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
Lay  the  handsome  Yenadizze, 
Slain  in  his  own  human  figure. 

Ended  were  his  wild  adventures. 
Ended  were  his  tricks  and  gambols. 
Ended  all  his  craft  and  cunning. 
Ended  all  his  mischief-making. 
All  his  gambling  and  his  dancing. 
All  his  wooing  of  the  maidens. 

Then  the  noble  Hiawatha 
Took  his  soul,  his  ghost,  his  shadow, 
Spake  and  said  :  "  O  Pau-Puk-Keewis, 
Never  more  in  human  figure 
Shall  you  search  for  nev^  adventures  ; 
Never  more  with  jest  and  laughter 
Dance  the  dust  and  leaves  in  whirlwinds ; 
But  above  there  in  the  heavens 


^^■:; 


250 


THE  SONG  OF   HIAWATHA 


You  shall  soar  and  sail  ni  circles  ; 
I  will  change  you  to  an  «.agle, 
To  Keneu,  the  great  war- eagle, 
Chief  of  all  the  fowls  with  feathers, 
Chief  of  Hiawatha's  chickens." 

And  the  name  of  Pau-Puk-Keewis 
Lingers  still  among  the  people, 
Lingers  still  am(>ng  the  singers. 
And  among  the  story-tellers ; 
And  in  Winter,  when  the  snow-flakes 
Whirl  in  eddies  round  the  lodges, 
When  the  wind  in  gusty  tumult 
O'jr  tb9  smoke-flue  pipes  and  whistles, 
"  There,"  they  cry,  "  comes  Pau-Puk-Koewis ; 
He  is  dancing  through  the  village, 
He  is  gath  n-ing  in  his  harvest  1 " 


it'-  ;l 


im: 


XVIII. 

THE  DEATH   OF   KWASIND. 

Far  and  wide  among  the  nations 
Spread  the  name  and  fame  of  Kwasind  ; 
No  man  dared  to  strive  with  Kwasind, 
No  nian  could  compete  with  Kwasind. 
But  the  mischievous  Puk-Wudjies, 
They  the  envious  Little  People, 
They  the  fairies  and  the  pygmies. 
Plotted  and  conspired  against  him. 
"  If  this  hateful  Kwasind,"  said  they, 
"  If  this  gr'^at.  outrageous  fellow 
Goes  on  thus  a  little  longer. 
Tearing  everything  he  touches, 


THE   SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


251 


ces 


ties, 


t-Koewis ; 


rasind ; 

isind, 

Isind. 


Id  they, 


Rending  everything  to  jjieces, 
Filling  all  the  world  with  wonder, 
What  becomes  of  the  Puk-Wudjies? 
Who  will  care  for  the  Puk-Wudjies? 
He  will  tread  us  down  like  mushrooms, 
Drive  us  all  into  the  water, 
Give  our  bodies  to  be  eaten 
By  the  wicked  Nee-ba-naw-baigs, 
By  the  Spirits  of  the  water !  " 

So  the  angry  Little  People 
All  conspired  against  the  Strong  Man, 
All  conspired  to  murder  Kwasind, 
Yes,  to  rid  the  world  of  Kwasind, 
The  audacious,  overbearing. 
Heartless,  haughty,  dangerous  Kwasind ! 

Now  this  wondrous  strength  of  Kwasind 
In  his  crown  alone  was  seated ; 
In  his  crown  too  was  his  weakness ; 
There  alone  couiJ  he  be  wounded. 
Nowhere  else  could  weapon  pierce  him, 
Nowhere  else  could  weapon  harm  him. 

Even  there  the  only  weapon 
That  could  wound  him,  that  could  slay  him. 
Was  the  seed-cone  of  the  pine-tree. 
Was  the  blue  cone  of  the  fir-tree. 
This  was  Kwasind's  fatal  secret. 
Known  to  no  man  among  mortalu  ; 
But  the  cunning  Little  People, 
The  Puk-Wudjees,  knew  the  secret, 
Knew  the  only  way  to  kill  him. 

So  they  gathered  cones  together. 
Gathered  seed-cones  of  the  pine-tree, 
Gathered  blue  cones  of  the  fir-tree. 


252 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


In  the  woods  by  Taquamenaw, 
Brought  them  to  the  river's  margin, 
Heaped  them  in  grent  piles  together, 
Whij'^e  the  red  roclts  from  the  margin 
Jutting  overhang  tlio  river. 
There  they  hiy  in  wait  for  Kwasind, 
The  malieiouH  Little  People. 

'T  was  an  afternoon  in  Summer ; 
Very  hot  and  still  the  air  was, 
Very  smooth  the  gliding  river, 
Motionless  the  sleeping  shadows  : 
Insects  glistened  in  the  sunshine. 
Insects  skated  on  the  water. 
Filled  the  drowsy  air  with  buzzing, 
With  a  far  resounding  war-cry. 

Down  the  river  came  the  Strong  Man, 
In  his  birch  canoe  came  Kwasind, 
Floating  slowly  down  the  current 
Of  the  sluggish  Taquamenaw, 
Very  languid  with  the  weather, 
Very  sleepy  with  the  silence. 

From  the  ove)'lian^,ing  branches, 
From  the  tassels  ot  the  birch-trees, 
Soft  the  Spirit  of  Sleep  descended  ; 
By  his  airy  hosts  surrounded, 
His  invisible  attendants, 
Came  the  Spiriu  of  Sleep,  Nepahwin ; 
Like  the  burnished  Dush-kwo-ne-she, 
Like  a  dragon-fly,  he  hovered 
O'er  the  drowsy  head  of  Kwasind. 

To  his  ear  there  came  a  murmur 
As  of  waves  upon  a  sea-shore. 
As  of  far-off  tumbling  waters, 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


253 


Ishe, 
lur 


As  of  winds  among  the  pine-trees  ; 
And  he  felt  upon  his  forehead 
Blows  of  little  airy  war-clubs, 
Wielded  by  the  slumbrous  legions 
Of  the  Spirit  of  Sleep,  Nepaliwin, 
As  of  some  one  breathing  on  him. 

At  the  first  blow  of  their  war-elubs. 
Fell  a  drowsiness  on  Kwasind  ; 
At  the  second  blow  they  smote  him. 
Motionless  his  paddle  rested  ; 
At  the  third,  before  his  vision 
Reeled  the  landscape  into  darkness. 
Very  sound  asleep  was  Kwasind. 

So  he  floated  down  the  river, 
Like  a  blind  man  seated  upright, 
Floated  down  the  Taquamenaw, 
Underneath  the  trembling  birch-trees, 
Underneath  the  wooded  headlands, 
Underneath  the  war  encampment 
Of  the  pygmies,  the  Puk-Wudjies. 

There  they  stood,  all  armed  and  waiting, 
Hurled  the  pine-cones  down  upon  him, 
Struck  him  on  his  brawny  shoulders, 
On  his  crown  defenceless  struck  him. 
"  Death  to  Kwasind  !  "  was  the  sudden 
War-cry  of  the  Little  People. 

And  he  sideways  swayed  and  tumbled, 
Sideways  fell  into  the  river, 
Plunged  beneath  the  sluggisli  water 
Headlong,  as  an  otter  plunges ; 
And  the  birch  canoe,  abandoned. 
Drifted  empty  down  the  river, 
Bottom  upward  swerved  and  drifted  : 
Nothing  more  was  seen  of  Kwasind. 


k^h 

^:^ 

'4-" 


254 


THE  SONG  OF  HI  A  WA  Til  A 


But  the  memory  of  the  Strong  Man 
Lingered  long  among  the  people, 
And  whenever  through  the  forest 
Raged  and  roared  the  wintry  tempest, 
And  the  branches,  tossed  and  troubled. 
Creaked  and  groaned  and  split  asunder, 
"  Kwasind  I  "  cried  tliey  ;  *'  that  is  Kwasind  ! 
He  is  gathering  in  his  fire-wood !  " 

XIX. 

THE   0II0ST8. 

Never  stoops  the  soaring  vulture 

On  his  quarry  in  the  desert, 

On  the  sick  or  wounded  bison, 

But  another  vulture,  watching 

From  his  high  aerial  look-out, 

Sees  the  downward  plunge,  and  follows ; 

And  a  third  pursues  the  second. 

Coming  from  the  invisible  ether. 

First  a  speck,  and  then  a  vulture, 

Till  the  air  is  dark  with  pinions. 

So  disasters  come  not  singly  ; 
But  as  if  they  watched  and  waited. 
Scanning  one  another's  motions, 
When  the  first  descends,  the  others 
Follow,  follow,  gathering  flock-wise 
Bound  their  victim,  sick  and  wounded. 
First  a  shadow,  then  a  sorrow. 
Till  the  air  is  dark  with  anguish. 

Now,  o'er  all  the  dreary  North-land, 
Mighty  Peboan,  the  Winter, 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


•255 


an 


led, 
ndcr, 
Cwasind '. 


follows; 


re. 


Ited, 

r' 
Lbers 

Iwise 
rounded, 

3h. 
cth-land, 


Breathing  on  tlio  lakos  and  rivoi'H, 

Into  stone  luid  changed  their  waters. 

From  his  hair  he  shook  the  snow-flakes. 

Till  the  plains  were  strewn  with  whiteness, 

One  uninterrupted  level, 

As  if,  stooping,  the  Creator 

With  his  hand  had  smoothed  them  over. 

Through  the  forest,  wide  and  wailing, 
lloamed  the  hunter  on  his  snow-shoes ; 
In  the  village  worked  the  women, 
Pounded  maize,  or  dressed  the  deer-skin  ; 
And  the  young  men  played  together 
On  the  ice  the  noisy  ball-play, 
On  the  plain  the  dance  of  snow-shoes. 

One  dark  evening,  after  sundown, 
In  her  wigwam  Laughing  Water 
Sat  with  old  Nokomis,  waiting 
For  the  steps  of  Hiawatha 
Homeward  from  the  hunt  returning. 

On  their  faces  gleamed  the  fire-light. 
Painting  them  with  streaks  of  crimson. 
In  the  eyes  of  old  Nokomis 
Glimmered  like  the  watery  moonlight. 
In  the  eyes  of  Laughing  V/ater 
Glistened  like  the  sun  in  water ; 
And  behind  them  crouched  their  shadows 
In  the  corners  of  the  wigwam. 
And  the  smoke  in  wreaths  above  them 
Climbed  and  crowded  through  the  smoke-flue. 

Then  the  curtain  of  the  doorway 
From  without  was  slowly  lifted ; 
Brighter  glowed  the  fire  a  moment. 
And  a  moment  ^werved  the  smoke-wreath. 


wm 


266 


7 HE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


!  k 


As  two  women  entered  softly, 
Passed  the  doorway  uninvited, 
Without  word  of  salutation. 
Without  sign  of  recognition, 
Sat  down  in  the  farthest  corner, 
Crouching  low  among  the  shadows. 

From  their  aspect  and  their  garments. 
Strangers  seemed  they  in  the  village  ; 
Very  pale  and  haggard  were  they. 
As  they  sat  there  sad  and  silent. 
Trembling,  cowering  with  the  shadows. 

Waa  it  the  wind  above  the  smoke-flue. 
Muttering  down  into  the  wigwam  ? 
Was  it  the  owl,  the  Koko-koho, 
Hooting  from  the  dismal  forest  ? 
Sure  a  voice  ^aid  in  the  silence  : 
'^  These  are  corpses  clad  in  garments, 
These  are  ghosts  that  come  to  haimt  you, 
From  the  kingdom  of  JPonemah, 
From  the  land  of  the  Hereafter  !  " 

Homeward  now  came  Hiawatha 
From  hi''  hunting  in  the  forest. 
With  the  snow  upon  his  tresses. 
And  the  red  deer  on  his  shoulders. 
At  the  feet  of  Laughing  Water 
Down  he  threw  his  lifeless  burden  ; 
Nobler,  handsomer  she  thought  him. 
Than  when  first  he  came  to  woo  her. 
First  threw  down  the  deer  before  her. 
As  a  token  of  his  wishes, 
As  a  promise  of  the  future. 

Then  he  turned  and  saw  the  strangers, 
Cowering,  crouching  with  the  shadows  ; 


aents, 


ve; 


lows, 
ke-flue, 

9 


its, 
lunt  you, 


»> 


la 


rs. 

en; 

him, 
her, 
e  her, 


strangers, 
Ihadows ; 


rilE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


I 


257 


*i 


Said  within  himself,  "  Who  aro  they  ? 
What  strange  guests  has  Minnehaha?" 
But  he  questioned  not  the  strangers, 
Only  spake  to  bid  them  welcome 
To  his  lodge,  his  food,  his  fireside. 

When  the  evening  meal  was  ready, 
And  the  deer  had  been  divided. 
Both  the  pallid  guests,  the  strangers, 
Springing  from  among  the  shadows, 
Seized  upon  the  choicest  portions. 
Seized  the  white  fat  of  the  roebuck. 
Set  apart  for  Laughing  Water, 
For  the  wife  of  Hiawatha ; 
Without  asking,  without  thanking. 
Eagerly  devoured  the  morsels. 
Flitted  back  among  the  shadows 
In  the  corner  of  the  wigwam. 

Not  a  word  spake  Hiawatha, 
Not  a  motion  made  Nokomis, 
Not  a  gesture  Laughing  Water ; 
Not  a  change  came  o'er  their  features ; 
Only  Minnehaha  softly 
Whispered,  saying,  "  They  are  famished  ; 
Let  them  do  what  best  delights  them  ; 
Let  them  eat,  for  they  are  famished." 

Many  a  daylight  dawned  and  darkened, 
Many  a  night  shook  off  the  daylight 
As  the  pine  shakes  off  the  snow-flakes 
From  the  midnight  of  its  branches  ; 
Day  by  day  tlio  guests  unmoving 
Silt  there  silent  in  the  wigwam  ; 
But  by  night,  in  storm  or  starlight, 
Forth  they  went  into  the  forest, 


♦'■'"1 ' 


I 


258  THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 

Bringing  fire-wood  to  the  wigwam, 
Bringing  pine-cones  for  the  burning, 
Always  sad  and  always  silent. 

And  whenever  Hiawatha 
Came  from  fishing  or  from  hunting, 
When  the  evening  meal  was  ready. 
And  the  food  had  been  divided, 
Gliding  from  their  darksomt;  corner. 
Came  the  pallid  guests,  the  strangers, 
Seized  upon  the  choicest  portions 
Set  aside  for  Laughing  Water, 
And  without  rebuke  or  question 
Flitted  back  among  the  shadows. 

Never  once  had  Hiawatha 
By  a  word  or  look  reproved  them ; 
Never  once  had  old  Nokomis 
Made  a  gesture  of  impatience ; 
Never  once  had  Laughing  Water 
Shown  resentment  at  the  outrage. 
All  had  they  endured  in  silence. 
That  the  rights  of  guest  and  stranger. 
That  the  virtue  of  free-giving, 
By  a  look  might  not  be  lessened, 
By  a  word  might  not  be  broken. 

Once  at  midnight  Hiawatha, 
Ever  wakeful,  ever  watchful. 
In  the  wigwam,  dimly  lighted 
By  the  brands  that  still  were  burning, 
By  the  glimmering,  flickering  fire-light. 
Heard  a  sighing,  oft  repeated, 
Heard  a  sobbing,  as  of  sorrow. 

From  his  couch  rose  Hiawatha, 
From  his  shaggy  hides  of  bison. 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


269 


a, 


Pushed  aside  the  deer-skin  curtain, 
Saw  the  pallid  guests,  the  shadows, 
Sitting  upright  on  their  couches, 
Weeping  in  the  silent  midnight. 

And  he  said  :  "  O  guests  1  why  is  it 
That  your  hearts  are  so  afflicted, 
That  you  sob  so  in  the  midnight  ? 
Has  perchance  the  old  Nokomis, 
Has  my  wife,  my  Minnehaha, 
Wronged  or  grieved  you  by  unkindness, 
Failed  in  hospitable  duties  ?  " 

Then  the  shadows  ceased  from  weeping. 
Ceased  from  sobbing  and  lamenting. 
And  they  said,  with  gentle  voices  : 
"  We  are  ghosts  of  the  departed. 
Souls  of  those  who  once  were  with  you. 
From  the  realms  of  Chibiabos 
Hither  have  we  come  to  try  you. 
Hither  have  we  come  to  warn  you. 

"  Cries  of  grief  and  lamentation 
Keach  us  in  the  Blessed  Islands ; 
Cries  of  anguish  from  the  living. 
Calling  back  their  friends  departed, 
Sadden  us  with  useless  sorrow. 
Therefore  have  we  come  to  try  you ; 
No  one  knows  us,  no  one  heeds  us. 
We  are  but  r,  burden  to  you. 
And  we  see  that  the  departed 
Have  no  place  among  the  living. 

"Think  of  this,  O  Hiawatha! 
Speak  of  it  to  ail  the  people, 
That  henceforward  and  forever 
They  no  more  with  lamentations 


M 


260  THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 

Sadden  the  souls  of  the  departed 
In  the  Ishmds  of  the  Blessed. 

"  Do  not  lay  such  heavy  burdens 
In  the  graves  of  those  you  bury, 
Not  such  weight  of  furs  and  wampum^ 
Not  such  weight  of  pots  and  kettles, 
For  the  spirits  faint  beneath  them. 
Only  give  them  food  to  carry, 
Only  give  them  fire  to  light  them. 

"  Four  days  is  the  spirit's  journey 
To  the  land  of  ghosts  and  shadows, 
Four  its  lonely  night  encampments  ; 
Four  times  must  their  fires  be  lighted. 
Therefore,  when  the  dead  are  buried, 
Let  a  fire,  as  night  approaches. 
Four  times  on  the  grave  be  kindled. 
That  the  soid  upon  its  journey 
May  not  lack  the  cheerful  fire-light, 
May  not  grope  about  in  darkness. 

"  Farewell,  noble  Hiawatha  ! 
We  have  put  you  to  the  trial. 
To  the  proof  have  put  your  patience, 
By  the  insult  of  our  presence. 
By  the  outrage  of  our  actions. 
We  have  found  you  great  and  nob^e. 
Fail  not  in  the  greater  trial, 
Faint  not  in  the  harder  stnifrgle." 

When  they  ceased,  a  sudden  darkness 
Fell  and  filled  the  s''ent  wigwam. 
Hiawatha  heard  a  rustle 
As  of  garments  trailing  by  him. 
Heard  the  curtain  of  the  doorway 
Lifted  by  a  hand  he  saw  not, 


m 


urn, 

3, 


THE  SONG   OF  hIAWATHA 

Felt  the  cold  breatu  of  the  night  air, 
For  a  moment  saw  the  stai-light  ^ 
But  he  saw  the  ghosts  no  longer, 
Saw  no  more  the  wandering  spirits 
From  the  kingdom  of  Ponemah, 
From  the  land  of  the  Hereafter. 


261 


.'it 


XX. 


h 
bs; 
hted. 
ied, 

ledt 

jht, 

s. 


mce, 
[ob^e. 

(darkness 
m. 


ay 


THE  FAMINE. 

Oh,  the  long  and  dreary  Winter ! 
Oh,  the  cold  and  cruel  Winter  1 
Ever  thicker,  thicker,  thicker 
Froze  the  ice  on  lake  and  river, 
Ever  deeper,  deeper,  deeper 
Fell  the  snow  o'er  all  the  landscape, 
Fell  the  v'jovering  snow,  and  drifted 
Through  the  forest,  round  the  Tillage. 

Hardly  from  his  buried  wigwam 
Could  the  hunter  force  a  passage  ; 
With  his  mittens  and  his  snow-shoes 
Vainly  walked  he  through  the  forest, 
Sought  for  bird  or  beast  and  found  none. 
Saw  no  track  of  deer  or  rabbit. 
In  the  snovv  beheld  no  footprints. 
In  the  ghastly,  gleaming  forest 
Fell,  and  could  not  rise  from  weakness. 
Perished  there  from  cold  and  hunerer. 

Oh  the  famine  and  the  fever  I 
Oh  the  wasting  of  the  famine ! 
Oh  tiie  blasti.ig  of  the  fever  ! 
Oh  the  wailin;;  of  the  children ! 
Oh  the  angui.«h  of  the  women  ! 


l-.il 


n 

J  i ' 


I,'  W 


262  THE  SONG  OF  III  A  \VA  Til  A 

All  the  eaith  was  sick  and  famished ; 
Hungry  was  tho  air  around  them, 
Hungry  was  the  sky  above  them, 
And  the  hungry  stars  in  heaven 
Like  the  .-yes  of  wolves  glared  at  them  I 

Into  Hiawatha's  wigwam 
Came  two  other  guests,  as  silent 
As  the  ghosts  were,  and  as  gloomy, 
Waited  not  to  be  invited, 
Did  not  parley  at  the  doorway. 
Sat  there  without  word  of  welcome 
In  the  seat  of  Laughing  Water ; 
Looked  with  haggard  eyes  and  hollow 
At  the  face  of  Laughing  Water. 

And  the  foremost  said  :    "  Behold  me  I 
I  am  Famine,  Bukadawin  I  " 
And  the  other  said  :  "  Behold  me  ! 
I  am  Fever,  Ahkosewin !  " 

And  the  lovely  Minnehaha 
Shuddered  as  they  looked  upon  her. 
Shuddered  at  tlie  words  they  uttered, 
Lay  down  on  her  bed  in  silence. 
Hid  her  face,  but  made  no  answer ; 
Lay  there  trembling,  freezing,  burning 
At  the  looks  they  cast  upon  her, 
At  the  fearful  words  they  uttered. 

Forth  into  the  empty  forest 
Rushed  the  maddened  Hiawatha; 
In  his  heart  was  deadly  sorrow. 
In  his  face  a  stony  firnmess  ; 
On  his  brow  the  sweat  of  anguish 
Started,  but  it  froze  and  fell  not. 

Wrapped  in  furs  and  a^'med  for  hunting, 


f 


.ed; 


hem* 

h 

le 

ollow 

loldmel 

lel 


her, 
erfcd, 

» 

rer ; 
)urning 

3d. 


lish 

)t. 
for  hunting, 


THE   SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


268 


With  his  mighty  bow  of  ash-trec, 
With  his  quiver  full  of  arrows, 
With  his  mittens,  Minjekahwun, 
Into  the  vast  and  vacant  forest 
On  his  snow-shoes  strode  he  forward. 

"  Gitche  Manito,  the  Mighty !  " 
Cried  he  with  his  face  uplifted 
In  that  bitter  hour  of  anguish, 
"  Give  your  children  food,  O  father  I 
Give  us  food,  or  we  must  perish  I 
Give  me  food  for  Minnehaha, 
For  my  dying  Minnehaha !  " 

Through  the  far-resounding  forest, 
Through  the  forest  vast  and  vacant 
Rang  that  cry  of  desolation, 
But  there  came  no  other  answer 
Than  the  echo  of  his  crying. 
Than  the  echo  of  the  woodlands, 
"  Minnehaha !  Minnehaha  I  " 

All  day  long  roved  Hiawatha 
In  that  melancholy  forest, 
Tlirough  the  shadow  of  whose  thickets. 
In  the  pleasant  days  of  Sununer, 
Of  that  ne'er  forgotten  Summer, 
lie  had  brought  his  young  wife  homeward 
From  the  land  of  the  Dacotahs  ; 
When  the  birds  sang  in  the  thickets, 
And  the  streamlets  laughtnl  and  glistened. 
And  the  air  was  full  of  fragrance. 
And  the  lovely  Laughing  Water 
Said  with  voice  that  did  not  tremble, 
"  I  will  follow  you,  my  husband  !  " 

In  the  wigwam  with  Nokomis, 


■lii 


f 


264 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


fif'f 


With  those  gloomy  guests,  that  watched  her, 

With  the  Famine  and  the  Fever, 

She  was  lying,  the  iieloved, 

She  the  dying  Minnehaha. 

"  Hark  !  "  she  said  ;  "  I  hear  a  rushing. 

Hear  a  roaring  and  a  rushing, 

Hear  the  Falls  of  Minnehaha 

Callmg  to  mo  from  a  distance !  " 
"  No,  my  child  !  "  said  old  Nokomis, 
"  'T  Is  the  night-wind  in  the  pine-trees  !  " 
L  ok  !  "  she  said  ;  "  I  seQ  my  father 

St^niimg  lonely  at  his  doorway, 

B->  koning  to  me  from  his  wigwam 

In  tl-   'md  of  the  Dacotahs  I  " 
*'  No,  my  child  !  "  said  old  Nokomis, 
"  'T  is  the  smoke,  that  waves  and  beckoas !  " 
"  Ah !  "  said  she,  "  the  eyes  of  Pauguk 

Glare  upon  me  in  the  darkness, 

I  can  feel  his  icy  fingers 

Clasping  mine  amid  the  darkness  \ 

Hiawatha !  Hiawatha  I  " 
And  the  desolate  Hiawatha, 

Far  away  amid  the  forest. 

Miles  away  among  the  mountains, 

Heard  that  sudden  cry  of  anguish. 

Heard  the  voice  of  Minnehaha 

Calling  to  him  in  the  darkness, 
"  Hiawatha !  Hiawatha !  " 

Over  snow-fields  waste  and  pathless. 

Under  snow-encumbered  branches, 

Homeward  hurried  Hiawatha, 

Empty-handed,  heavy-hearted. 

Heard  Nokomis  moaning,  wailing : 


THE   SONG   OF  I/IAWATHA 


265 


ihed  her, 


ushing. 


368  I 


n 


beckoQs!" 
Pauguk 


,8'. 


>b, 


lathless, 


Pg- 


"  Wahonowin  !  Wahonowin  I 
Would  that  I  had  perished  for  you, 
Would  that  I  w  )re  dead  as  you  are  ! 
Wahonowin  !  Y,'  ahon  >win !  " 

And  he  rushed  iiito  the  wigwam, 
Sav  the  old  Nokomis  Jowly 
Koci'J  ng  to  and  fro  and  moaning, 
paw  i.ns  lovely  Minno  luha 
Lying  dead  and  cold  before  him, 
And  his  bursting  heart  within  him 
V  otered  such  a  cry  of  anguish, 
That  the  forest  moaned  and  shuddered. 
That  the  very  stars  in  heaven 
Shook  and  trembled  with  his  anguish. 

Then  he  sat  down,  still  and  speechless, 
On  the  bed  of  Minnehaha, 
At  the  feet  of  Laughing  Water, 
At  those  willing  feet,  that  never 
More  would  lightly  run  to  meet  him. 
Never  more  would  lightly  follow. 

With  both  hands  his  face  he  covered. 
Seven  long  days  and  nights  he  sat  there. 
As  if  in  a  swoon  he  sat  there, 
Speecldess,  motionless,  unconscious 
Of  the  daylight  or  the  darkness. 

Then  they  buried  Minnehaha ; 
In  the  snow  a  grave  they  made  her, 
In  the  forest  deep  and  darksome. 
Underneath  the  moaning  hendocks ; 
Clothed  her  in  lier  richest  garments. 
Wrapped  her  in  her  robes  of  ermine, 
Covered  her  with  snow,  like  ermine  ; 
Thus  they  buried  Minnehaha. 


266  THE  SON  a   OF  HIAWATHA 

And  at  ni^Iit  a  Rro  was  lighted, 
On  her  gruvu  four  times  was  kindled, 
For  her  soul  upon  its  journey 
To  the  Islands  of  the  iilcssed. 
From  his  doorway  llirwatha 
Saw  it  burning  in  the  forest, 
Lighting  up  the  gloomy  hemlocks  ; 
From  his  sleepless  bed  uprising, 
From  the  bed  of  Minnehaha, 
Stood  and  watched  it  at  the  doorway, 
That  it  might  not  be  extinguished, 
Might  not  leave  her  in  the  darkness. 

"  Farewell !  "  said  he,  " Minnehaha! 
Farewell,  O  my  Laughing  Water ! 
All  my  heart  is  buried  with  you. 
All  my  thoughts  go  onward  with  you  I 
Come  not  back  again  to  labor, 
Come  not  back  again  to  suffer. 
Where  the  Famine  and  the  Fever 
Wear  the  heart  and  waste  the  body. 
Soon  my  task  will  be  completed. 
Soon  your  footsteps  I  shall  follow 
To  the  Islands  of  the  Blessed, 
To  the  Kingdom  of  Ponemah, 
To  the  land  of  the  Hereafter  1  " 


XXI. 


THE   WHITE   MAN  S   FOOT. 


i 


In  his  lodge  beside  a  river, 
Ci:)se  beside  a  frozen  river. 
Sat  an  old  man,  sad  and  lonely. 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


267 


White  his  hair  was  as  a  snow-<Irlft ; 
Dull  and  low  his  firo  was  burning, 
And  tho  old  man  shook  and  trembledf 
Folded  in  his  Waubewyon, 
In  his  tattered  white-skin-wrapj>or, 
Hearing  notliing  but  tho  tempest 
As  it  roared  along  the  forest, 
Seeing  nothing  but  the  snow-storm. 
As  it  whirled  and  hissed  and  drifted. 

All  the  coals  were  white  with  ashes, 
And  the  fire  was  slowly  dying, 
As  a  young  man,  walking  lightly, 
At  the  open  doorway  entered. 
Red  with  blood  of  youth  his  cheeks  were, 
Soft  his  eyes,  as  stars  in  Spring-time, 
Bound  his  forehead  was  with  grasses ; 
Bound  and  plumed  with  scented  grasses, 
On  his  lips  a  smile  of  beauty, 
Filling  all  the  lodge  with  sunshine, 
In  his  hand  a  bunch  of  blossoms 
Filling  all  the  ledge  with  sweetness. 

"  Ah,  my  son  !  "  exclaimed  the  old  man, 
"  Happy  are  my  eyes  to  see  you. 
Sit  here  on  the  mat  beside  me, 
Sit  here  by  the  dying  embers. 
Lot  us  pass  the  night  together. 
Tell  me  of  your  strange  adventures, 
Of  the  lands  where  you  have  travelled ; 
I  will  tell  you  of  my  prowess, 
Of  my  many  deeds  of  wonder." 

From  his  poueh  he  drew  his  peace-pipe, 
Very  old  and  strangely  fashioned ; 
Made  of  red  stone  was  the  pipe-head. 


I  > 


268 


THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA 


m 


«,  • 


;^f 


^^ 


u 


n 


And  tho  stem  a  rccd  with  foathors ; 
Filled  the  pipe  with  hark  of  willow, 
Placed  a  hiirning  coal  ui)on  it, 
Gave  it  to  hin  gueHt,  tho  Htranger, 
And  began  to  H})eak  in  this  wise : 
When  I  blow  my  breath  about  me, 
When  I  breathe  upon  the  landscape, 
Motionless  are  all  tlio  rivers, 
Hard  as  stone  becomes  tlie  water  I  '* 

And  the  young  man  answered,  smiling 
When  I  blow  my  breath  about  me, 
When  I  breathe  u])on  the  landseai)e. 
Flowers  spring  up  o'er  all  the  meadows. 
Singing,  onward  rush  the  rivers  I  " 

"  When  I  shake  my  hoary  tresses," 
Said  the  old  man  darkly  frowning. 
All  the  land  with  snow  is  covered ; 
All  the  leaves  from  all  the  branches 
Fall  and  fade  and  die  and  wither, 
For  I  breathe,  and  lo !  they  are  not. 
From  the  waters  and  the  marshes 
Kiso  the  wild  goose  and  the  heron. 
Fly  away  to  distant  regions. 
For  I  speak,  and  lo  !  they  are  not. 
And  where'er  my  footsteps  wander. 
All  the  >vild  beasts  of  the  forest 
Hide  themselves  in  holes  and  caverns. 
And  the  earth  becomes  as  flintstone !  " 

"  When  I  shake  my  flowing  ringlets," 
Said  the  young  man,  softly  laughing. 
Showers  of  rain  fall  warm  and  welcome, 
Plants  lift  up  their  heads  rejoicing. 
Back  into  their  lakes  and  marshes 


THE  SONG  OF  IIIAWATUA 


260 


[" 
amiling : 

aclows, 
»» 

„ »» 
iBeSf 

g» 
d; 
ihes 

not. 

311, 

ot. 
ler, 

no!" 
inglets," 

;liing, 
welcome, 

,68 


Como  the  wild  goose  and  the  hi>ron, 
Homeward  hIiooIh  the  arrowy  Hwallow, 
Sing  the  bliu;bird  and  the  robin, 
And  where'er  my  footutepH  wander, 
All  the  mea<Iow8  wave  with  blosHoms, 
All  the  woodlands  ring  with  musie. 
All  the  trees  are  dark  with  foliage  I  " 

While  they  spake,  the  night  departed  : 
From  the  distant  realms  of  Wabun, 
From  his  shining  lodge  of  silver, 
Like  a  warrior  robed  and  painted. 
Came  the  sun,  and  said,  '*  Behold  ine ! 
Gheezis,  the  great  sun,  behold  me !  " 

Then  the  old  man's  tongue  was  speechless 
And  the  air  grew  warm  and  ])lea8ant, 
And  upon  the  wigwam  sweetly 
Sang  the  bluebird  and  the  robin, 
And  the  stream  began  to  murmur. 
And  a  scent  of  growing  grasses 
Through  the  lodge  was  gently  wafted. 

And  Segwun,  the  youthful  stranger, 
More  distinctly  in  the  daylight 
Saw  the  icy  face  before  him ; 
It  was  Peboan,  the  Winter ! 

From  his  eyes  the  tears  were  flowing, 
As  from  melting  lakes  the  streamlets. 
And  his  body  shrunk  and  dwindled 
As  the  shouting  sun  ascended, 
Till  into  the  air  it  faded. 
Till  into  the  ground  it  vanished, 
And  the  young  man  saw  before  him. 
On  the  hearth-stone  of  the  ^vigwam, 
Whert  the  fire  had  smoked  and  smouldered, 


'mi 


270  THE  SONG    OF  HIAWATHA 

Saw  the  earliest  flower  of  Spring-time, 
Saw  the  Beauty  of  the  Spring-time, 
Saw  the  Miskodeed  in  blossom. 

Thus  it  was  that  in  the  North-land 
After  that  unheard-of  coldness, 
That  intolerable  Winter, 
Came  the  Spring  with  all  its  splendor. 
All  its  birds  and  all  its  blossoms, 
./Ul  its  flowers  and  leaves  and  grasses. 

Sailing  on  the  wind  to  northward. 
Flying  in  great  flocks,  like  arrows. 
Like  huge  arrows  shot  through  heaven, 
Passed  the  swan,  the  Mahnahbezee, 
Speaking  almost  as  a  man  sjieaks ; 
And  in  long  lines  waving,  bending 
Like  a  bow-string  snapped  asunder. 
Came  the  white  goose,  Waw-be-wawa ; 
And  in  pairs,  or  singly  flying, 
Mahug  the  loon,  with  clangorous  pinions. 
The  blue  hc"on,  the  Shuh-shuh-gah, 
And  the  grouse,  the  Mushkodasa. 

In  the  thickets  and  the  meadows 
Piped  the  bluebird,  the  Owaissa, 
On  the  summit  of  the  lodges 
Sang  the  robin,  the  Opecheo, 
In  the  covert  of  the  pine-trees 
Cooed  the  pigeon,  the  Omemee, 
And  the  sorrowing  Hiawatha, 
Speechless  in  his  infinite  sorrow, 
Heard  their  voicxvs  calling  to  him, 
Went  forth  from  his  gloomy  doorway. 


Lino  25     SiuiK  tho  ()|)(<chnt<,  tho  robin, 
Liue  '£J.    Couod  tiiu  Omoiuuu,  the  pigeon, 


e, 


lor, 

iCS. 

1, 

iven, 

> 
g 

awa; 

,  pinions, 
ab, 

wa 


h 

lorway, 


THE  SONO  OF  HIAWATHA  271 

Stood  and  gazed  into  the  heaven, 
Gazed  upon  the  earth  and  waters. 

From  his  wanderings  far  to  eastward, 
From  the  regions  of  the  morning, 
From  the  shining  land  of  Wabun, 
Homeward  now  returned  lagoo, 
The  great  traveller,  the  great  boaster, 
Full  of  new  and  strange  adventures, 
Marvels  many  and  many  wonders. 

And  the  people  of  the;  village 
Listened  to  him  as  he  told  them 
Of  his  marvellous  adventures. 
Laughing  answered  him  in  this  wise  : 
"  Ugh  I  it  is  indeed  lagoo  ! 
No  one  else  beholds  such  wonders  I " 

He  had  seen,  he  said,  a  water 
Bigger  than  the  Big-Sea- Water, 
Broader  than  the  Gitche  Gumec, 
Bitter  so  that  none  could  drink  it  I 
At  each  other  looked  the  warriors. 
Looked  the  women  at  each  other. 
Smiled,  and  said,  "  It  cannot  be  so! 
Kaw !  "  they  said,  "  it  cannot  be  sol  " 

O'er  it,  said  he,  o'er  this  water 
Came  a  great  canoe  with  pinions, 
A  canoe  with  wings  came  flying. 
Bigger  than  a  grove  of  pine-trees, 
Taller  than  the  tallest  tree-tops  ! 
And  the  old  men  and  the  women 
Looked  and  tittered  at  each  other  ; 
"  Kaw  !  "  they  said,  "  we  don't  believe  it !  " 

From  its  moutli,  he  said,  to  greet  him, 
Came  Waywassimo,  the  lightning. 


If'"'!  "-»•'-/''' 

If'. ''V-f; ''.,■: 


272 


r//£:  50iVG  O-F  HIAWATHA 


1* 


Came  the  thunder,  Annemeekee  I 
And  the  warriors  and  the  women 
Laughed  aloud  at  poor  lagoo ; 

"  Kaw !  "  they  said,  "  what  tales  you  tell  us !  " 
In  it,  said  he,  came  a  people, 
In  the  great  canoe  with  pinions 
Came,  he  said,  a  hundred  warriors ; 
Painted  white  were  all  their  faces 
And  with  hair  their  chins  were  covered  I 
And  the  warriors  and  the  women 
Laughed  and  shouted  in  derision, 
Like  the  ravens  on  the  tree-tops, 
Like  the  crows  upon  the  hemlocks. 

"Kaw !  "  they  said,  "  what  lies  you  tell  us ! 
Do  not  think  that  we  believe  them  I  " 

Only  Hiawatha  laughed  not. 
But  he  gravely  spake  and  answered 
To  their  jeering  and  their  jesting : 

"  True  is  all  lagoo  tells  us ; 
I  have  seen  it  in  a  vision. 
Seen  the  great  canoe  with  pinions, 
Seen  the  people  with  white  faces. 
Seen  the  coming  of  this  bearded 
People  of  the  wooden  vessel 
From  the  regions  of  the  morning, 
From  the  shining  ?ind  of  Wabun. 

"  Gitche  Manito,  the  Mighty, 
The  Great  Spirit,  the  Creator, 
Sends  them  hither  on  his  errand. 
Sends  them  to  us  witli  his  message. 
Wheresoe'er  they  move,  before  them 
Swarms  the  stinging  fly,  the  Ahmo, 
Swarms  the  bee,  the  honey-maker  ; 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


27  a 


Ithem 
lino, 
lev ; 


Wheresoe'er  they  tread,  beneath  them 
Springs  a  flower  unknown  among  us. 
Springs  the  White-man's  Foot  in  blossom. 

"  Let  us  welcome,  then,  the  strangers, 
Hail  them  as  our  friends  and  brothers, 
And  the  heart's  right  hand  of  friendship 
Give  them  when  they  come  to  see  us. 
Gitche  Manito,  the  Mighty, 
Said  this  to  me  in  my  vision. 

"  I  beheld,  too,  in  that  vision 
All  the  secrets  of  the  fuiurc. 
Of  the  distant  days  tliat  shall  be. 
I  beheld  the  westward  marches 
Of  the  unknown,  crowded  nations. 
All  the  land  was  full  of  people. 
Restless,  struggling,  toiling,  striving. 
Speaking  many  tongues,  yet  feeling 
But  one  heart-beat  in  their  bosoms. 
In  the  woodlands  rang  their  axes, 
Smoked  their  towns  in  all  the  valleys, 
Over  all  the  lakes  and  rivers 
Hushed  their  great  canoes  of  thunder. 

"  Then  a  darker,  drearier  vision 
Passed  before  me,  vague  p.nd  cloud-like  ; 
I  beheld  our  nation  scattered. 
All  forgetful  of  my  counsels. 
Weakened,  warring  with  each  otli<^r: 
Saw  the  renmants  of  our  people 
Sweeping  westward,  wild  and  woful, 
Like  the  cloud-rack  of  a  tempest, 
Like  the  withered  leaves  of  Autumn  I  " 


274 


THE  SON  a  OF  HI  AW  ATI! A 


XXII. 


I 


HIAWATHA  8    DKPAUTURE. 

By  tho  shore  of  Git<*iie  Gunice, 
By  tho  shining  Big-Sea- Water, 
At  the  doorway  of  his  wigwam, 
In  the  ])leaHant  Summer  morning, 
Hiawatha  stood  and  waited. 
All  tin;  air  was  full  of  freshness. 
All  the  earth  was  bright  and  joyons, 
And  before  him,  through  the  sunshine. 
Westward  toward  the  neighboring  forest 
Passed  in  golden  swarms  the  Ahmo, 
Passed  the  bees,  the  honey-makers, 
Burning,  singing  in  the  sunshine. 

Bright  above  him  shone  the  heavens. 
Level  sprejul  the  lake  before  him  ; 
From  its  bosom  lea]>ed  the  sturgeon. 
Sparkling,  flashing  in  the  sunshine  ; 
On  its  margin  the  great  forest 
Stood  reflected  in  tlte  water, 
Every  tree-top  had  its  shadow. 
Motionless  beneath  the  water. 

From  tiie  brow  of  Hiawatha 
Gone  was  every  trace  of  sorrow, 
As  the  fog  from  off  Jie  water. 
As  the  mist  from  off'  the  meadow. 
With  a  smiU;  of  joy  and  triumph, 
With  a  lojk  of  exultation. 
As  of  one  who  in  a  vision 
Sees  what  is  to  l)e,  but  is  not, 
Stood  and  waited  Hiawatha. 


THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


275 


Toward  the  «iin  his  hands  woro  lifted, 
Both  the  juihiiH  spread  out  ag;iinst  it, 
And  betwt'en  the  parted  finj^ers 
Fell  the  sunsliine  on  his  features, 
Flecked  with  li<(ht  his  nak»Ml  shoulders, 
As  it  falls  and  Hecks  an  oak-tree 
Through  the  riftiid  leaves  an<l  branches. 

O'er  the  water  floating,  flying, 
Soin(.'thing  in  the  hazy  distance. 
Something  in  the  mists  of  morning. 
Loomed  and  lifted  from  the  water. 
Now  seemed  floating,  now  seemed  Hying, 
Coming  nearer,  nearer,  nean^r. 

Was  it  Shingebis  the  diver? 
Or  the  pelican,  the  Shada  ? 
Or  the  heron,  the  8huh-shuh-gah  ? 
Or  the  white  goose,  Waw-be-wawa, 
With  the  water  dripping,  flashing. 
From  its  glossy  neck  and  feathers  ? 

It  was  neither  goose  nor  diver, 
Neither  pelican  nor  heron, 
O'er  the  water  floating,  Hying, 
Through  the  shining  mist  of  niorning, 
Itut  a  birch  canoe  with  paddles, 
Rising,  sinking  oil  the  water, 
Dripping,  flashing  in  the  sunshine; 
And  within  it  came  a  people 
From  th(;  distant  land  of  Wabun, 
From  the  farthest  realms  of  morning 
C'unc  the  lihtck-Kobe  chief,  the  Prophet, 
ilc  the  Priest  of  Irayer,  the  Pale-face, 
With  his  guides  and  his  companions. 

LiJU-  10      Woii  it  tku  iiilicaii,  (he  Hlutdu  '.' 


V<t 


I' 

|)  'A 


^ 


276 


t( 


THE  SONO  OF  HIAWATHA 

Ami  the  iioblu  Hiawatha, 
W  ith  his  haiuU  aloft  extuiuledf 
Ilekl  aloft  in  sign  of  welcome, 
Wait'd,  full  of  exultation, 
Till  the  birch  canoe  with  paddles 
Grated  on  the  shining  pebbles, 
Stranded  on  the  sandy  margin. 
Till  the  Blaek-HolH)  chief,  the  Pale-face, 
With  the  cross  upon  his  bosom, 
Landed  on   the  sandy  margin. 

Then  the  joyous  Hiawatha 
Cried  aloud  and  spake  in  this  wise  : 
beautiful  is  the  sun,  O  strangers, 
AV^hen  you  come  so  far  to  see  us  I 
All  our  town  in  peace  awaits  you, 
All  our  doors  stand  open  for  you ; 
You  shall  enter  all  our  wigwams, 
For  the  heart's  right  hand  we  give  you. 

"  Never  bloomed  the  earth  so  gayly, 
Never  shone  the  sun  so  brightly. 
As  to-day  they  shine  and  blossom 
When  you  como  so  far  to  see  us  I 
Never  was  our  lake  so  tranquil. 
Nor  so  free  from  rocks  and  sand-bars  ; 
For  your  birch  canoe  in  passing 
Has  removed  both  rock  and  sand-bar. 

"  Never  before  had  our  tobacco 
Such  a  sweet  and  pleasant  flavor. 
Never  the  broad  loaves  of  our  eornlields 
Were  ho  l)oautiful  to  look  on. 
As  they  seen\  to  us  this  morning, 
When  you  come  so  far  to  see  us ! " 

And  the  Hlock-Uobo  chief  made  answer, 


•bars; 
l-bav. 

t 

>rutields 


le  auawei 


THE   SONG   OF  HIAWATHA  277 

Stp.miiiered  in  Km  Hpecch  a  little, 
8pt'akin[<;  words  yet  unfamiliar  : 

"Peace  be  with  you,  Hiawatha, 
Peace  be  with  you  and  your  j)eoplo, 
Peace  of  prayer,  and  [wace  of  pardon. 
Peace  of  Chri.st,  and  joy  of  Mary  I  " 

Then  tlie  generous  Hiawatha 
Led  the  strangers  to  his  wigwam, 
Seated  them  on  skins  of  bisim. 
Seated  them  on  skins  of  ermine, 
And  the  careful  old  Nokomis 
Brought  them  footl  in  bowls  of  bass  wood, 
Water  brought  in  birchen  dippers, 
And  the  calumet,  the  ))eace-))ipe. 
Filled  and  lighted  for  tht.'ir  smoking. 

All  the  old  men  of  the  village, 
All  the  warriors  of  the  nation, 
All  the  Jossakeeds,  the  Prophets, 
The  magicians,  the  Wabenos, 
And  the  medicine-men,  the  Medas, 
Came  to  bid  the  strangers  welcome ; 

"  It  is  well,"  they  said,  '■  ()  brothers. 
That  you  come  so  far  to  see  us  !  " 
In  a  circle  round  the  doorway, 
With  their  pipes  they  sat  in  silence, 
Waiting  to  beh«»ld  the  strangcjvs. 
Waiting  to  receive  their  message  ; 
Till  the  Hla<-k.Hobe  chief,  th.'  Pal.sfaee, 
From  the  wigwam  camo  to  greet  them, 
Stammering  in  his  sp(>(;eh  a  little. 
Speaking  words  y«'t  unfamiliar  ; 

"  It  is  well,''  tht'y  said,  "()  hrothcr, 
That  yo'i  come  so  far  to  see  us !  " 


278 


THE  SONG   OF  HfAWATIIA 


Then  the  lilaek-Itohc  chief,  the  Prophet, 
Told  hiH  message  to  the  peopU;, 
Tohl  the  purport  <»f  his  mission, 
Tohl  them  of  the  Virgin  Mary, 
Ami  her  bU'ssed  Son,  the  Saviour, 
How  in  distant  hinds  and  ages 
lie  had  lived  on  earth  as  we  do  ; 
How  ho  fasted,  prayed,  and  labored ; 
How  the  Jews,  the  trihe  atu'iirsed, 
Mocked  him,  scourged  him,  crucified  him  ; 
How  he  n^se  fruui  where  they  laid  him, 
Walked  again  with  his  disciples, 
And  ascended  into  heaven. 

And  th(^  chicifs  made  answer,  saying : 
"  We  have  listened  to  your  message. 
We  have  heard  your  words  of  wisdom, 
We  will  think  on  what  you  tell  us. 
It  is  well  for  us,  O  brothers, 
That  you  come  so  far  to  see  us !  " 

Thtin  they  rose  up  and  departed 
Each  one  homeward  to  his  wigwam, 
To  the  young  men  and  the  women 
Told  the  storv  of  the  strangers 
Whom  the  Master  of  lAie  had  sent  them 
From  the  shining  land  of  Wabun. 

Heavy  with  the  heat  and  silence 
Grew  the  afterno(m  of  Summer ; 
With  a  drowsy  sound  the  forest 
Whis|H»red  round  the  sultry  wigwam, 
With  a  sound  of  sl(>ep  the  water 
Kippled  on  the  beach  below  it; 
From  the  cornfields  shrill  and  ceaseless 
Sang  the  grasshopper,  Pah-puk-kceua  ; 


THE   SONG   OF  HIAWATHA  279 

And  the  j^ests  of  Hiawatha, 
Weary  with  the  heat  of  Summer, 
Shimbered  in  the  sultry  wi<;wam. 

Slowly  o'er  the  simmorinfif  landacape 
Fell  the  evenin<;'H  dusk  and  coolness, 
And  the  lon<j;  and  level  sunbeams 
Shot  their  spears  into  the  forest, 
Breaking;  thriMigh  its  shields  of  shadow. 
Rushed  into  ea<'h  secret  ainbush, 
Sean^hed  eai'h  thieket,  dingle,  hollow  ; 
Still  the  guests  of  Hiawatha 
Slumbered  in  the  sil(>nt  wigw.am. 

From  his  place  rose  Hiawatha, 
Baxlo  fai*ewell  t(^  old  Nokomis, 
Spake  in  whisptrs,  spake  in  this  wise. 
Did  not  wake  the  guests,  that  slumbered : 

*'  I  am  gvMUg,  O  Nokv>mi8, 
On  a  long  and  d^Ntant  journey, 
To  the  |x>rt^ds  of  the  Sunset, 
To  the  r^^ious  of  the  home-wind, 
Of  the  North  west- Wind,  Keewaydin. 
But  thest^  guests  I  leave  behind  me, 
Itk  yrniT  watch  and  ward  I  leave  them ; 
See  that  never  harm  comes  near  them, 
See  that  never  fear  molests  them. 
Never  danger  nor  suspicion, 
Nt^ver  want  of  food  or  shelter. 
In  the  h)d^e  of  Hiawatha!  " 

Forth  into  the  village  went  ho, 
Tiade  farewell  to  all  the  warriors. 
Bade  farewell  to  all  the  young  men. 
Spake  persuading,  s[)ake  in  this  Nvise : 

"  I  am  going,  O  my  people, 


■■ 


« 


280  THE  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 

On  a  long  and  distant  journoy  ; 
Many  moons  and  many  winters 
Will  have  come,  and  will  have  vanished, 
Kro  1  conio  again  to  see  you. 
But  my  guests  I  leave  behind  mo  ; 
Listen  to  their  words  of  wisdom, 
Listen  to  the  truth  they  tell  you, 
For  the  Master  of  Life  has  sent  them 
From  the  land  of  light  and  morning  !  " 

Ou  th(;  shore  stood  Hiawatha, 
Turned  and  waved  his  h.md  at  parting ; 
On  the  clear  and  luminous  water 
Launched  his  birch  caiioc  for  sailinir. 
From  the  pebbles  of  the  margin 
Shoved  it  forth  into  the  water  ; 
Whispered  to  it,  "  Westward  I  westward ! 
And  with  speed  it  darted  forward. 

And  the  evening  sun  descending 
Set  tho  clouds  on  fire  with  redness. 
Burned  the  broad  sky,  like  a  prairie. 
Left  upon  the  level  water 
One  long  track  and  trail  of  splendor, 
Down  whose  stream,  as  down  a  rivcr, 
Westward,  westward  Hiawatha 
Sailed  into  the  fiery  sunset, 
Sailed  into  the  purple  va])ors, 
Sailed  into  the  dusk  of  evening. 

And  the  people  from  the  margin 
Watched  him  floating,  rising,  sinking, 
Till  the  birch  canoe  seemed  lifted 
Hi^h  into  that  sea  of  splendor, 
Till  it  sank  into  the  vapors 
Like  the  new  moon  slowly,  slowly 
Sinking  in  the  purple  distance. 


hod, 


Bm 

:ting ; 
ing, 

estward!" 
1. 

ng 

irie, 


^^1 


rZ/iJ  SONG   OF  HIAWATHA 


281 


And  thoy  said,  "  Farewell  forever !  " 
Said,  "  Farewell,  O  lliawatiia !  " 
And  the  forestH,  dark  and  lunely, 
Moved  through  all  their  depths  of  darkncRR, 
Sighed,  "  Farewell,  O  Hiawatha  I  " 
And  the  waves  upon  the  margin 
Kising,  rippling  on  the  pebbles, 
Sobbed,  "  Farewell,  O  Hiawatha!  " 
And  the  heron,  the  Shuh-shuh-gah, 
From  her  haunts  among  the  fendands, 
Screamed,  "  Farewell,  O  Hiawatha  I  " 

Thus  departed  Hiawatha, 
Hiawatha  the  Beloved, 
In  the  glory  of  the  sunset, 
In  the  purple  mists  of  evening, 
To  the  regions  of  the  home-wind, 
Of  the  Northwest-Wind,  Keewaydin, 
To  the  Islands  of  the  Blessed, 
To  the  kingdom  of  Ponemah, 
To  the  land  of  the  Hereafter  I 


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THE  COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH 


Mil 


INTRODUCTORY  NOTE. 

It  is  possible  that  the  unmistakable  success  of 
Hiawatha  made  Mr.  Longfellow  more  ready  to 
occupy  himself  with  another  subject  of  American 
life.  At  any  rate,  a  few  weeks  after  the  publica- 
tion of  that  poem  one  of  his  friends  urged  him  to 
write  a  poem  on  the  Puritans  and  Quakers.  "  A 
good  subject  for  a  tragedy,"  he  remarks,  and  be- 
gan looking  over  books  which  would  give  him  in- 
cidents. The  first  outcome  was  the  beginning  of 
The  New  England  Tragedies.  Then  he  ai)pears 
to  have  begun  as  an  alternative,  lighter  work  a 
drama,  The  Courtship  of  Miles  Standish.  This 
was  December  2,  1856.  Exactly  a  year  later  he 
writes  in  his  diary :  "  Soft  as  spring.  I  begin  a 
new  poem,  Priscilla,  to  be  a  kind  of  Puritan  pas- 
toral ;  the  subject,  the  courtship  of  Miles  Standish. 
This,  I  think,  will  be  a  better  treatment  of  the  sub- 
ject than  the  dramatic  one  I  wrote  some  time  ago  ;  " 
and  the  next  day :  "  My  poem  is  in  hexameters  ; 
an  idyl  of  the  Old  Colony  times.  What  it  will 
turn  out  I  do  not  know ;  but  it  gives  me  pleasure 
to  write  it ;  and  that  I  count  for  something." 

He  seems  to  have  made  a  fresh  start  on  the 
poem,  January  29,  1858,  and  then  to  have  carried 
it  rapidly  forward  to  completion,  for  the  first  draft 


284      COURTSHIP   OF  MILES  STAN  DISH 

was  finished  March  22cl,  although  the  boi  ,  whicli 
contained  besides  a  collection  of  his  leeent  short 
poems,  was  not  published  until  September.  When 
midway  in  the  writing  he  changed  the  title  to  that 
which  the  poem  now  bears,  The  incident  of  Pris- 
cilla's  reply,  on  which  the  story  turns,  was  a  tra- 
dition, and  John  Alden  was  a  maternal  ancestor 
of  the  poet.  For  the  rest,  he  drew  his  material 
from  the  easily  accessible  historical  resources.  Dr. 
Young  had  published  his  valuable  Chronicles  of 
the  Pilgrim  Fathers,  and  Mr.  Charles  Wyllis 
Elliott  his  entertaining  History  of  New  JEiujlaml^ 
in  which  he  had  attempted  to  reconstruct  the  inte- 
rior, household  life  in  greater  detail  than  had  other 
learned  writers.  Mr.  Longfellow  did  not  think  it 
necessary  to  follow  the  early  Plymouth  history  with 
scrupulous  reference  to  chronology;  it  was  suffi- 
cient for  him  to  catch  the  broad  features  of  tlie 
colonial  life  and  to  reproduce  the  spirit  of  the 
relations  existing  between  Plymouth  and  the  In- 
dians. The  hexameter  verse  differs  in  its  general 
effect  from  that  produced  by  the  more  stately  form 
used  in  Evangeline,  through  its  greater  elasticity. 
A  crispness  of  touch  is  gained  by  a  more  vary- 
ing accent  and  a  freer  use  of  trochees. 


rsH 

K  ■  -,  whicli 
[jent  short 
1'.     When 
tie  to  that 
it  of  Pris- 
was  a  tra- 
al  ancestor 
js  material 
•urces.    I)]'. 
ironicles  of 
,rles  Wyllis 
w  EiujIumU 
uct  the  lute- 
in had  other 
not  think  it 
L  history  with 
it  was  suffi- 
itures  of  the 
spirit  of   the 

and  the  In- 
m  its  general 

stately  form 

;er  elasticity. 

a  naore  vary- 


THE  COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH 

I. 

MILES   STANDISH. 

In  the  Old  Colony  days,  in  Plymouth  the  land  of 

the  Pilgrims, 
To  and  fro  in  a  room  of  his  simple  and  primitive 

dwelling, 
Clad  in  doublet  and  hose,  and  boots  of  Cordovan 

leather, 
Strode,  with  a  martial  air.  Miles   Standish  the 

Puritan  Captain. 
Buried  in  thought  he  seemed,  with  his  hands  be- 
hind him,  and  pausing 
Ever  and  anon  to  behold  his  glittering  weapons  of 

warfare, 
Hanging  in  shining  array  along  the  walls  of  the 

chamber,  — 
Cutlass  and  corselet  of  steel,  and  his  trusty  sword 

of  Damascus, 
Curved  at  the  point  and  inscribed  with  its  mystical 

Arabic  sentence, 
While  underneath,  in  a  corner,  were  fowling-piece, 

musket,  and  matchlock. 
Short     f   stature  he  was,  but  strongly  built   and 

athletic. 
Broad  in  the  shoulders,  deep-chested,  with  muscles 

and  sinews  of  iron  ; 


i 

1 

1 

1 

if 

! 

286     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH 

Brown  as  a  nut  was  his  face,  but  his  russet  beard 

was  already 
Flaked  with  patches  of  snow,  as  hedges  sometimes 

in  November. 
Near  him  was  seated  John  Alden,  his  friend,  and 

household  companion, 
Writing  with  diligent  speed  at  a  table  of  pine  by 

the  window ; 
Fair-haired,  azure-eyed,  with  delicate  Saxon  com- 
plexion, 
Having  the   dew  of  his  youth,  and  the  beauty 

thereof,  as  the  captives 
Whom  Saint  Gregory  saw,  and  exclaimed,  "  Not 

Angles,  but  Angels." 
Youngest  of  all  was  he  of  the  men  ^^^ho  came  in 

the  Mayflower. 

Suddenly  breaking  the  silence,  the  diligent  scribe 

interrupting. 
Spake,  in  the  pride  of  his  heart.  Miles  Standish 

the  Captain  of  Plymouth. 
"  Look  at  these  arms,"   he  said,   "  the  warlike 

weapons  that  hang  here 
Burnished  and  bright  and  clean,  as  if  for  parade 

or  inspection ! 
This  is  the  sword  of  Damascus  I  fought  with  in 

Flanders ;  this  breastplate. 
Well  I  remember  the  day !  once  saved  my  life  in 

a  skirmish ; 
Here  in  front  you  can  see  the  very  dint  of  the 

bullet 
Fired  point-blank  at  my  heart  by  a  Spanish  arca- 

bucero. 


isct  beard 
sometimes 
'riend,  and 
of  pine  by 
saxon  com- 
the  beauty 
imed,  "  Not 
^ho  came  in 

iligent  scribe 
lies  Standish 
tlie  warlike 
f  for  parade 
ugbt  witb  in 
d  my  life  in 
dint  of  tbe 
panisb  arca- 


COUliTSHIP   OF  MILES  STANDISH     287 

Had  it  not  been  of  sheer  steel,  the  forgotten  bones 

of  Miles  Standish 
Would  at  this  moment  be  mould,  in  their  grave  in 

the  Flemish  morasses." 
Thereupon  answered  John  Alden,  but  looked  not 

up  from  his  writing  : 
"  Truly  the  breath  of  the  Lord  hath  slackened  the 

speed  of  the  bullet ; 
He  in  his  mercy  preserved  you,  to  be  our  shield 

and  our  weapon  !  " 
Still  the  Captain  continued,  unheeding  the  words 

of  the  stripling : 
"  See,  how  bright  they  are  burnished,  as  if  in  an 

arsenal  hanging; 
That  is  because  I  have  done  it  myself,  and  not  left 

it  to  others. 
Serve  yourself,  would  you  be  well  served,  is  an 

excellent  adage ; 
So  I  take  care  of  my  arms,  as  you  of  your  pens 

and  your  inkhorn. 
Than,  too,  there  are  my  soldiers,  my  great,  invin- 
cible army, 
Twelve  men,  all  equipped,  having  each  his  rest  and 

his  matchlock, 
Eighteen  shillings  a  month,  together  with  diet  and 

pillage, 
And,  like  Caesar,  I  know  the  name  of  each  of  my 

soldiers ! " 
This  he  said  with  a  smile,  that  danced  in  his  eyes, 

as  the  sunbeams 
Dance  on  the  waves  of  the  sea,  and  vanish  again 

in  a  moment. 
Alden  laughed  as  he  wrote,  and  still  the  Captain 

continued : 


288     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH 


"  Look !  you  can  see  from  this  window  my  brazen 

howitzer  planted 
High  on  the  roof  of  the  church,  a  preacher  who 

speaks  to  the  purpose, 
Steady,  straightforward,  and  strong,  with  irresisti- 
ble logic, 
Orthodox,  flashing  conviction  right  into  the  hearts 

of  the  heathen. 
Now  we  are  ready,  I  think,  for  any  assault  of  the 

Indians ; 
Let  them  come,  if  they  like,  and  the  sooner  they 

try  it  the  better,  — 
Let  them  come,   if   they  like,  be  it  sagamore, 

sachem,  or  pow-wow, 
Aspinet,  Samoset,  Corbitant,  Squanto,  or  Tokama- 

hamon !  " 

Long  at  the  window  he   stood,  and  wistfully 

gazed  on  the  landscape, 
Washed  with  a  cold  gray  mist,  the  vapory  breath 

of  the  east-wind, 
Forest  and  meadow  and  hill,  and  the  steel-blue 

rim  of  the  ocean, 

Lying  silent  and  sad,  in  the  afternoon  shadows 
and  sunshine. 

Over  his  countenance  flitted  a  shadow  like  those 
on  the  landscape, 

Gloom  intermingled  with  light ;  and  his  voice  was 
subdued  with  emotion. 

Tenderness,  pity,  regret,  as  after  a  pause  he  pro- 
ceeded : 

*'  Yonder  there,  on  the  hill  by  the  sea,  lies  buried 
Hose  Staudish  ; 


ISH 

my  brazen 

saclier  who 

th  irresisti- 

3  the  hearts 

sault  of  the 

sooner  they 

it  sagamore, 

>,  or  Tokama- 


his  voice  was 
[pause  he  pro- 
jea,  lies  huried 


COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISII     289 

Beautiful  rose  of  love,  that  bloomed  for  mo  by  the 

wayside  ! 
She  was  the  first  to  die  of  all  who  came  in  the 

Mayflower ! 
Green  above  her  is  growing  the  field  of  wheat  we 

have  sown  there, 
Better  to  hide  from  the  Indian  scouts  the  graves  of 

our  people, 
Lest  they  should  count  them  and  sue  how  many 

already  have  perished  !  " 
Sadly  his  face  he  averted,  and  strode  up  and  down, 

and  was  thoughtful. 

Fixed  to  the  opposite  wall  was  a  shelf  of  books, 
and  among  them 

Prominent  three,  distinguished  alike  for  bulk  and 
for  binding ; 

Bariffe's  Artillery  Guide,  and  the  Commentaries 
of  Cjesar 

Out  of  the  Latin  translated  by  Arthur  Goldinge 
of  London, 

And,  as  if  guarded  by  these,  between  them  was 
standing  the  Bible. 

Musing  a  moment  before  them,  Miles  Standish 
paused,  as  if  doubtful 

Which  of  the  three  he  should  choose  for  his  con- 
solation and  comfort. 

Whether  the  wars  of  the  Hebrews,  the  famous 
campaigns  of  the  Komans, 

Or  the  Artillery  practice,  designed  for  belligerent 
Christians. 

Finally  down  from  its  shelf  he  dragged  the  pon- 
derous Eoman, 


\3 


200     COURTSHIP   OF  MILES  STANDI SH 

Saated  himself  at  tho  window,  and  opened  the 
book,  and  in  silence 

Turned  o'er  the  well-worn  leaves,  where  thumb- 
marks  thick  on  the  margin, 

Like  the  trample  of  feet,  proclaimed  the  battle 
was  hottest. 

Nothing  was  heard  in  the  room  but  the  hurrying 
pen  of  the  stripling. 

Busily  writing  epistles  important,  to  go  by  tho 
Mayflower, 

Ready  to  sail  on  the  morrow,  or  next  day  at  latest, 
God  willing  ! 

Homeward  bound  with  the  tidings  of  all  that  terri- 
ble winter, 

Letters  written  by  Alden,  and  full  of  the  name  of 
Priscilla  ! 

Full  of  the  name  and  the  fame  of  the  Puritan 
maiden  Priscilla  ! 


II. 


LOVE  ArD   FRIENDSHIP. 


Nothing  was  heard  in  the  room  but  the  hurrying 

pen  of  the  stripling. 
Or  an  occasional  sigh  from  the  laboring  heart  of 

the  Captain, 
Eeading  the  marvellous  words  and  achievements  of 

Julius  Caesar. 
After  a  while  he  exclaimed,  as  he  smote  with  his 

hand,  palm  downwards. 
Heavily  on  the  page :  "  A  wonderful  man  was  this 

Caesar  ! 


)ISH 
ipened   tho 

ere  thumb- 

the  battle 

he  hurrying 

go   by  the 

day  at  latest, 

all  that  terri- 

f  the  name  of 

the  Puritan 


the  hurrying 
goring  heart  of 

[jhievements  of 
I  smote  with  his 
man  was  this 


COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISII     201 

You  are  a  writer,  and  I  am  a  fighter,  but  here  is  a 

fellow 
Who  could  both  write  and  fight,  and  in  both  was 

equally  skilful !  " 
Straightway  answered  and  spako  John  Alden,  tho 

comely,  tho  youthful  : 
"  Yes,  he  was  equally  skilled,  as  you  say,  with  his 

pen  and  his  weapons. 
Somewhere   have  I  read,  but  where  I  forget,  he 

could  dictate 
Seven  letters  at  once,  at  the  same  time  writing  his 

memoirs." 
"  Truly,"  continued  the  Captain,  not  heeding  or 

hearing  the  other, 
"  Truly  a  wonderful  man  was  Caius  Julius  Caesar  I 
Better  be  first,  he  said,  in  a  little  Iberian  village, 
Than  be  second  in  Kome,  and  I  think  he  was  right 

when  he  said  it. 
Twice  was  he  married  before  he  was  twenty,  and 

many  times  after ; 
Battles  five  hundred  he  fought,  and  a  thousand 

cities  he  conquered  ; 
He,  too,  fought  in  Flanders,  as  he  himself  has  re- 
corded ; 
Finally  he  was  stabbed  by  his  friend,  the  orator 

Brutus  ! 
Now,  do  you  know  what  he  did  on  a  certain  occa- 
sion in  Flanders, 
When  the  rear-guard  of  his  army  retreated,  the 

front  giving  way  too, 
And  the  immortal  Twelfth  Legion  was  crowded  so 

closely  together 
There  was  no  room  for  their  swords  ?     Why,  he 

seized  a  shield  from  a  soldier, 


■:' 


m 


292     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH 

Put  himself  straight  at  the  hoad  of  his  troops,  and 

commandod  the  captains, 
Calling  on  each  by  his  name,  to  order  forward  the 

ensigns ; 
Then  to  widen  tlie  ranks,  and  give  more  room  for 

their  weapons ; 
So  he  won  the  day,  the  battle   of  something-or- 

other. 
That 's  what  I  always  say  ;  if  you  wish  a  thing  to 

be  well  done, 
You  must  do  it  yourself,  you  must  not  leave  it  to 

others  I  " 

All  was  silent  again  ;  the  Captain  continued  his 
reading. 

Nothing  was  heard  in  the  room  but  the  hurrying 
pen  of  the  stripling 

Writing  epistles  important  to  go  next  day  by  the 
Mayflower, 

Filled  with  the  name  and  the  fame  of  the  Puritan 
maiden  Priscilla ; 

Every  sentence  began  or  closed  with  the  name  of 
Priscilla, 

Till  the  treacherous  pen,  to  which  he  confided  the 
secret, 

Strove  to  betray  it  by  singing  and  shouting  the 
name  of  Priscilla ! 

Finally  closing  his  book,  with  a  bang  of  the  pon- 
derous cover. 

Sudden  and  loud  as  the  sound  of  a  soldier  ground- 
ing his  musket. 

Thus  to  the  young  man  spake  Miles  Standish  the 
Captain  of  Plymouth : 


111 


tiii ' 


ISH 
roop«,  ami 

jrward  the 
ro  room  for 
)methiug-or- 
ti  a  thing  to 
t  leave  it  to 

continued  his 
the  hurrying 
ext  day  by  the 
of  the  Puritan 
;h  the  name  of 
le  confided  tiie 
Id  shouting  the 
mg  of  the  pon- 
soldier  grouud- 
les  Standish  the 


COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH     203 

"  When  you  havo  finished  your  work,  I  have  huiuq- 

thing  important  to  tell  you. 
Be  not  however  in  liaste  ;  I  can  wait ;  I  shall  not 

bo  impatient ! " 
Straightway  Alden  replied,  as  ho  folded  the  last  of 

his  letters. 
Pushing  his  })apers  aside,  and  giving  respectful  at- 
tention : 
"  Speak ;  for  whenever  you  speak,  T  am  always 

ready  to  listen. 
Always  ready  to  hear  whatever  pertains  to  Miles 
Standish." 

Thereupon  answered    the   Captain,  embarrassed, 
and  culling  his  phrases : 

"  'T  is  not  good  for  a  man  to  be  alone,  say  the 
Scriptures. 

This  I  have  said  before,  and  again  and  again  I  re- 
peat it ; 

Every  hour  in  the  day,  I  think  it,  and  feel  it,  and 
say  it. 

Since  Rose  Standish  died,  my  life  has  been  weary 
and  dreary  ; 

Sick  at  heart  have  I  been,  beyond  the  healing  of 
friendship ; 

Oft  in  my  lonely  hours  have  I  thought  of  the 
maiden  Priseilla. 

She  is  alone  in  the  world  ;  her  father  and  mother 
and  brother 

Died  in  the  winter  together ;  I  saw  her  going  and 
coming. 

Now  to  the  grave  of  the  dead,  and  now  to  the  bed 
of  the  dying. 

Patient,  courageous,  and  strong,  and  said  to  my- 
self, that  if  ever 


v     '•> 


SI 


I 


I 


294     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH 

There  were  angels  on  earth,  as  there  are  angels  in 

heaven, 
Two  have  I  seen  ard  known  ;  and  the  angel  whose 

name  is  Priscilla 
Holds  in  my  desolate  life  the  place  which  the  other 

abandoned. 
Long  have  I  cherished  the  thought,  but  never  have 

dared  to  reveal  it. 
Being  a  coward  in  this,  though  valiant  enough  for 

the  most  part. 
Go  to  the  damsel  Priscilla,  the  loveliest  maiden  of 

Plymouth, 
Say  that  a  blunt  old  Captain,  a  man  not  of  words 

but  of  actions. 
Offers  his  hand  and  his  heart,  the  hand  and  heart 

of  a  soldier. 
Not  in  these  words,  you  know,  but  this  in  short  is 

my  meaning ; 
I  am  a  maker  of  war,  and  not  a  maker  of  phrases. 
You,  who  are  bred  as  a  scholar,  can  say  it  in  ele- 
gant language. 
Such  as  you  read  in  your  books  of  the  pleadings 

and  wooings  of  lovers, 
Such  as  you  think  best  adapted  to  win  the  heart 

of  a  maiden." 

When  he  had  spoken,  John  Alden,  the  fair- 
haired,  taciturn  stripling, 

All  aghast  at  his  words,  surprised,  embarrassed, 
bewildered, 

Trying  to  mask  his  dismay  by  treating  the  subject 
with  lightness. 

Trying  to  smile,  and  yet  feeling  his  heart  stand 
still  in  his  bosom, 


SH 
angels  in 

igel  wliose 

1  the  other 

never  have 

enough  for 

±  maiden  o£ 

lot  o£  words 

ad  and  heart 

is  in  short  is 

.v  of  T)hrases. 
say  it  in  ele- 


he 


pleading 


win  the  heart 

den,  the  fair- 
emharrassed, 
ing  the  subject 
kis  heart  stand 


COURTSHIP  OF  MILES   STANDI SII     295 

Just  as  a  timepiece  stops  in  a  house  that  is  stricken 
by  lightning, 

Thus  made  answer  and  spake,  or  rather  stammered 
than  answered : 

"Such  a  message  as  that,  I  am  sure  I  should 
mangle  and  mar  it ; 

If  you  would  have  it  well  done,  —  I  am  only  re- 
peating your  maxim,  — 

You  must  do  it  yourself,  you  must  not  leave  it  to 
others  !  " 

But  with  the  air  of  a  man  whom  nothing  can  turn 
from  his  purpose. 

Gravely  shaking  his  head,  made  answer  the  Cap- 
tain of  Plymouth : 

"  Truly  the  maxim  is  good,  and  I  do  not  mean  to 
gainsay  it ; 

But  we  must  use  it  discreetly,  and  not  waste  pow- 
der for  nothing. 

Now,  as  I  said  before,  I  was  never  a  maker  of 
phrases. 

I  can  march  up  to  a  fortress  and  summon  the  place 
to  surrender. 

But  march  up  to  a  woman  with  such  a  proposal,  I 
dare  not. 

I  'm  not  afraid  of  bullets,  nor  shot  from  the  mouth 
of  a  cannon. 

But  of  a  thundering  '  No ! '  point-blank  from  the 
mouth  of  a  woman, 

That  I  confess  I  'm  afraid  of,  nor  am  I  ashamed  to 
confess  it ! 

So  you  must  grant  my  request,  for  you  are  an  ele- 
gant scholar, 

Having  the  graces  of  speech,  and  skill  in  the  turn- 
ing of  phrases." 


296     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDI SH 

Taking  the  hand  of  his  friend,  who  still  was  re- 
luctant and  doubtful, 

Holding  it  long  in  his  own,  and  pressing  it  kindly, 
he  added : 

"  Though  I  have  spoken  thus  lightly,  yet  deep  is 
the  feeling  that  prompts  me  ; 

Surely  you  cannot  refuse  what  I  ask  in  the  name 
of  our  friendship  ! " 

Then  made  answer  John  Alden :  "  The  name  of 
friendship  is  sacred ; 

What  you  demand  in  that  name,  I  have  not  the 
power  to  deny  you  !  " 

So  the  strong  will  prevailed,  subduing  and  mould- 
ing the  gentler. 

Friendship  prevailed  over  love,  and  Alden  went 
on  his  errand. 


III. 

THE  lover's  errand. 

So  the  strong  will  prevailed,  and  Alden  went  on 
his  errand. 

Out  of  the  street  of  the  village,  and  into  the  paths 
of  the  forest, 

Into  the  tranquil  woods,  where  bluebirds  and  rob- 
ins were  building 

Towns  in  the  populous  trees,  with  hanging  gar- 
dens of  verdure. 

Peaceful,  aerial  cities  of  joy  and  affection  and 
freedom. 

All  around  him  was  calm,  but  within  him  commo- 
tion and  conflict, 


ISH 

;ill  was  re- 

r  it  kindly, 

^et  deep  is 

n  the  name 

he  name  of 

tave  not  the 

r  and  mould- 

Alden  went 


Jden  went  on 
linto  the  paths 
)irds  androh- 
hanging  gar- 
affection  and 
lin  him  conimo- 


COURTSHIP    OF  MILES  STANDISH     297 

Love  contending  with  friendship,  and  self  with 
each  generous  impulse. 

To  and  fro  in  his  breast  his  thoughts  were  heaving 
and  dashing, 

As  in  a  foundering  ship,  with  every  roll  of  the 
vessel, 

Washes  the  bitter  sea,  the  merciless  surge  of  the 
ocean ! 

"  Must  I  relinquish  it  all,"  he  cried  with  a  wild 
lamentation,  — 

"  Must  I  relinquish  it  all,  the  joy,  the  hope,  the  il- 
lusion ? 

Was  it  for  this  I  have  loved,  and  waited,  and  wor- 
shipped in  silence  ? 

Was  it  for  this  I  have  followed  the  flying  feet  and 
the  shadow 

Over  the  wintry  sea,  to  the  desolate  shores  of  New 
England  ? 

Truly  the  heart  is  deceitful,  and  out  of  its  depths 
of  corruption 

Rise,  like  an  exhalation,  the  misty  phantoms  of 
passioxi ; 

Angels  of  light  they  seem,  but  are  only  delusions 
of  Satan. 

All  is  clear  to  me  now ;  I  feel  it,  I  see  it  dis- 
tinctly I 

This  is  the  hand  of  the  Lord ;  it  is  laid  upon  me 
in  anger, 

For  I  have  followed  too  much  the  heart's  desires 
and  devices. 

Worshipping  Astaroth  blindly,  and  impious  idols 
of  BaEil. 

This  is  the  cross  I  must  bear ;  the  sin  and  the 
swift  retribution." 


298     COURTSHIP   OF  MILES  STANDTSH 

So  through  the   Plymouth  woods   John  Alden 
went  on  his  errund  ; 

Crossing-  the  brook  at  the  ford,  where  it  brawled 
over  pebble  and  shallow, 

Gathering  still,  as  he  went,  the  May-flowers  bloom- 
ing around  him, 

Fragrant,  filling  the  air  with  a  strange  and  won- 
derful sweetness. 

Children   lost   in   the    woods,    and   covered   with 
leaves  in  their  slumber. 

"Puritan  flowers,"  he  said,  "  and  the  type  of  Pu- 
ritan maidens. 

Modest  and  simple  and  sweet,  the  very  type  of 
Priseilla ! 

So  I  will  take  them  to  her ;  to  Priseilla  the  May- 
flower of  Plymouth, 

Modest  and  simiile  and  sweet,  as  a  parting  gift 
will  I  take  them ; 

Breathing  their  silent  farewells,  as  they  fade  and 
wither  and  perish. 

Soon  to  be  thrown  away  as  is  the  heart  of  the 
giver." 

So  through  the  Plymouth  woods  John  Alden  went 
on  his  errand ; 

Came  to  an  open  space,  and  saw  the  disk  of  the 
ocean, 

Sailless,   sombre   and   cold   with  the   comfortless 
breath  of  the  east-wind  ; 

Saw  the  new-built  house,  and  people  at  work  in  a 
meadow  ; 

Heard,  as   he  drew  near   the  door,   the   musical 
voice  of  Priseilla 

Singing  the  hundredth  Psalm,  the  grand  old  Pmi- 
tan  anthem, 


sn 

hn  Alden 

It  brawled 

rers  Uoom- 

e  and  won- 

vered   with 

type  of  Pu- 

^ery  type  of 

Llla  the  May- 
parting  gift 

^hey  fade  and 
heart  of  tlic 
u  Alden  went 
e  disk  of  the 
je   comfortless 
le  at  work  in  a 
the   musical 
rrand  old  Puri- 


COURTSniP   OF  MILES   STANDISII     2l)D 

Music  that  Luther  sang  to  the  sacred  words  of  the 

Psalmist, 
Full  of  the  breath  of  the  Lord,  consoling  and  com- 
forting many. 
Then,  as  he  opened  the  door,  he  beheld  tlie  form 

of  the  maiden 
Seated  beside  her  wheel,  and  the  carded  wool  like 

a  snow-drift 
Piled  at  her  knee,  her  white  hands  feeding  the 

ravenous  spindle. 
While  with  her  foot  on  the  treadle  she  guided  the 

wheel  in  its  motion. 
Open  wide  on   her  lap  lay  the  well-worn  psalm- 
book  of  Ainsworth, 
Printed  in  Amsterdam,  the  words  and  the  music 

together, 
Rough-hewn,  angular  notes,  like  stones  in  the  wall 

of  a  churchyard, 
Darkened  and  overhung  by  the  running  vine  of 

the  verses. 
Such  was  the  book  from  whose  pages  she  sang  the 

old  Puritan  anthem. 
She,  the  Puritan  girl,  in  the  solitude  of  the  forest, 
Making  the  humble  house  and  the  modest  a})parel 

of  home-spun 
Beautiful   with    her    beauty,   and   rich   with   the 

wealth  of  her  being  ! 
Over  him  rushed,  like  a  wind  that  is  keen  and  cold 

and  relentless. 
Thoughts  of  what  might  have  been,  and  the  weight 

and  woe  of  his  errand  ; 
All  the  dreams  that  had  faded,  and  all  the  hopes 

that  had  vanished, 


300     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH 


All  his   life  henceforth  a  dreary  and  tenantless 

mansion, 
Haunted  by  vain  regrets,  and  pallid,  sorrowful 

faces. 
Still  he  said  to  himself,  and  almost  fiercely  he 

said  it, 
"  Let  not  him  that  putteth  his  hand  to  the  plough 

look  backwards ; 
Though  the  ploughshare  cut  through  the  flowers  of 

life  to  its  fountains. 
Though  it  pass  o'er  the  graves  of  the  dead  and 

the  hearths  of  the  living. 
It  is  the  virill  of  the  Lord ;  and  his  mercy  endureth 

forever  I  " 


So  he  entered  the  house :  and  the  hum  of  the 
wheel  and  the  singing 

Suddenly  ceased ;  for  Priscilla,  aroused  by  his  step 
on  the  threshold, 

Rose  as  he  entered,  and  gave  him  her  hand,  in  sig- 
nal of  welcome, 

Saying,  "  I  knew  it  was  you,  when  I  heard  your 
step  in  the  passage ; 

For  I  was  thinking  of  you,  as  I  sat  there  singing 
and  spinning." 

Awkward  and  dumb  with  delight,  that  a  thought 
of  him  had  been  mingled 

Thus  in  the  sacred  psalm,  that  came  from  the  heart 
of  the  maiden. 

Silent  before  her  he  stood,  and  gave  her  the  flowers 
for  an  answer. 

Finding  no  words  for  his  thought.  Hd  remem- 
bered that  day  in  the  winter, 


SH 
benantlesa 

sorrowful 

iercely  lie 

the  plougli 

B  flowers  of 

e  dead  and 

•cy  endureth 

»  hum  of  the 
}d  by  his  step 
hand,  in  sig- 
[  heard  your 
there  singing 
at  a  thought 
rom  the  heart 
er  the  flowers 
II(t  remem- 


COURTSHIP   OF  MILES   STAND  I  SH     301 

After  the  first  great  snow,  when  he  broke  a  path 

from  the  village. 
Reeling  and  plunging  along  through  the  drifts  that 

encumbered  the  doorway, 
Stamping  the  snow  from  his  feet  as  he  entered  the 

house,  and  Priscilla 
Laughed  at  his  snowy  locks,  and  gave  him  a  seat 

by  the  fireside. 
Grateful  and  pleased  to  know  he  had  thought  of 

her  in  the  snow-storm. 
Had  he  but  spoken  then  I  perhaps  not  in  vain  had 

he  spoken ; 
Now  it  was  all  too  late ;  the  golden  moment  had 

vanished ! 
So  he  stood  there  abashed,  and  gave  her  the  flowers 

for  an  answer. 

Then  they  sat  down  and  talked  of  the  birds  and 

the  beautiful  Spring-time, 
Talked  of  their  friends  at  home,  and  the  Mayflower 

that  sailed  on  the  morrow, 
"  I  have  been  thinking  all  day,"  said  gently  the 

Puritan  maiden, 
"  Dreaming  all  night,  and  thinking  all  day,  of  the 

hedge-rows  of  England,  — 
They  are  in  blossom  now,  and  the  country  is  all 

like  a  garden ; 
Thinking  of  lanes  and  fields,  and  the  song  of  the 

lark  and  the  linnet. 
Seeing  the  village  street,  and  familiar  faces  of 

neighbors 
Going  about  as  of  old,  and  stopping  to  gossip  to- 
gether, 


i  ., 


4 


I' 


§ 


i\ 


802     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDI SH 

And,  at  the  end  of  the  street,  the  village  church, 

with  the  ivy 
Climbing  the  old  gray  tower,  and  the  quiet  graves 

in  the  churchyard. 
Kind  are  the  people  I  live  with,  and  dear  to  me 

my  religion  ; 
Still  my  heart  is  so  sad,  that  I  wish  myself  back  in 

Old  England. 
You  will  say  it  is  wrong,  but  I  cannot  help  it :  I 

almost 
Wish  myself  back  in  Old  England,  I  feel  so  lonely 

and  wretched." 

Thereupon  answered  the  youth :  "  Indeed  I  do 

not  condemn  you ; 
Stouter  hearts  than  a  woman  s  have  quailed  in  this 

terrible  winter. 
Yours  is  tender  and  trusting,  and  needs  a  stronger 

to  lean  on ; 
So  I  have  come  to  you  now,  with  an  offer  and 

proffer  of  marriage 
Made  by  a  good  man  and  true.  Miles  Standish  the 

Captain  of  Plymouth  I  " 

Thus  he  delivered  his  message,  the  dexterous 
writer  of  letters,  — 

Did  not  embellish  the  theme,  nor  array  it  in  beau- 
tiful phrases, 

But  came  straight  to  the  point,  and  blurted  it  out 
like  a  school-boy ; 

Even  the  Captain  himself  could  hardly  have  said 
it  more  bluntly. 


I  I 


DISH 

age  church, 

(^uiet  graves 

dear  to  me 

yself  hack  in 

)t  help  it:  I 

feel  so  lonely 

•'  Indeed  I  do 
quailed  in  this 
eeds  a  stronger 
h  an  offer  and 
es  Standish  the 

the  dexterous 

irray  it  in  ^^^^' 
hlurted  it  out 
ardly  have  said 


COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH     303 

Mute  with  amazement  and  sorrow,  Priscilla  the 
Puritan  maiden 

Looked  into  Alden's  face,  her  eyes  dilated  with 
wonder. 

Feeling  his  words  like  a  blow,  that  stunned  her 
and  rendered  her  speechless  ; 

Till  at  length  she  exclaimed,  interrupting  the  om- 
inous silence : 

"  If  the  great  Captain  of  Plymouth  ia  so  very  eager 
to  wed  me, 

Why  does  he  not  come  himself,  and  take  the  trouble 
to  woo  me  ? 

If  I  am  not  worth  the  wooing,  I  surely  am  not 
worth  the  winning !  " 

Then  John  Alden  began  explaining  and  smoothing 
the  matter, 

Making  it  worse  as  he  went,  by  saying  the  Captain 
w  as  busy,  — 

Had  no  time  for  such  things  ;  —  such  things  !  the 
words  grating  harshly 

Fell  on  the  ear  of  Priscilla ;  and  swift  as  a  flash 
she  made  answer : 

"  Has  he  no  time  for  such  things,  as  you  call  it, 
before  he  is  married. 

Would  he  be  likely  to  find  it,  or  make  it,  after  the 
wedding  ? 

That  is  the  way  with  you  men  ;  you  don't  under- 
stand us,  you  cannot. 

When  you  have  made  up  your  minds,  after  think- 
ing of  this  one  and  that  one. 

Choosing,  selecting,  rejecting,  comparing  one  with 
another, 


304      COURTSHIP   OF  MILES  STAN  DISH 

Then  you  make  known  your  desire,  with  abrupt 

and  sudden  avowal, 
And  are  offended  and  hurt,  and  indignant  perhaps, 

that  a  woman 
Does  not  respond  at  once  to  a  love  that  she  never 

suspected, 
Does  not  attain  at  a  bound  the  height  to  which  you 

have  been  climbing. 
This  is  not  right  nor  just :  for  surely  a  woman's 

affection 
Is  not  a  thing  to  be  asked  for,  and  had  for  only  the 

asking. 
When  one  is  truly  in  love,  one  not  only  says  it, 

but  shows  it. 
Had  he  but  waited  awhile,  had  he  only  showed  that 

he  loved  me, 
Even  this  Captain  of  yours  —  who  knows  ?  —  at 

last  might  have  won  me, 
Old  and  rough  as  he  is;  but  now  it  never  can 

happen." 

Still  John  Alden  went  on,  unheeding  the  words 
of  Priscilla, 

Urging  the  suit  of  his  friend,  explaining,  persuad- 
ing, expanding ; 

Spoke  of  his  courage  and  skill,  rnd  of  all  his  bat- 
tles in  Flanders, 

How  with  the  people  of  God  he  had  chosen  to  suf- 
fer affliction ; 

How,  in  return  for  his  zeal,  they  had  made  him 
Captain  of  Plymouth ; 

He  was  a  gentleman  born,  could  trace  his  pedigree 
plainly 


COURTSHIP   OF  MILES  ST  AN  DISH     305 

Back  to  Hugh  Stanclish  of  Duxbuiy  Hall,  in  Lan- 
cashire, England, 

Who  was  the  son  of  Kalph,  aiul  the  grandson  of 
Thurston  de  Standish ; 

Heir  unto  vast  estates,  of  which  he  was  basely  de- 
frauded, 

Still  bore  the  family  arms,  and  had  for  his  crest 
a  cock  argent 

Combed  and  wattled  gules,  and  all  the  rest  of  the 
blazon. 

He  was  a  man  of  honor,  of  noble  and  generous 
nature ; 

Though  he  was  rough,  he  was  kindly ;  she  knew 
how  during  the  winter 

He  had  attended  the  sick,  with  a  hand  as  gentle  as 
woman's ; 

Somewhat  hasty  and  hot,  he  could  not  deny  it,  and 
headstrong. 

Stern  as  a  soldier  might  be,  but  hearty,  and  pla- 
cable always. 

Not  to  be  laughed  at  and  scorned,  because  he  was 
little  of  stature ; 

For  he  was  great  of  heart,  magnanimous,  courtly, 
courageous ; 

Any  woman  in  Plymouth,  nay,  any  woman  in  Eng- 
land, 

Might  be  happy  and  proud  to  be  called  the  wife  of 
Miles  Standish ! 


But  as  he  warmed  and  glowed,  in  his  simple  and 
eloquent  language. 
Quite  forgetful  of  self,  and  full  of  the  praise  of 
his  rival. 


ff 


5iOO      COUltTSIIIP  OF  MILES  STANDISII 

Anilily  tho  iimitlen  smiled,  and,  with  eyes  over- 
running; with  laughter, 

Said,  in  a  trenuUouH  voice,  "  Why  don't  you  speak 
for  yourself,  John  ?  " 


IV. 


JOHN    ALDEN. 

Into  the  open  air  John  Aldon,  perplexed  and  be- 
wildered, 

Hushed  like  a  man  insane,  and  wandered  alone  by 
tho  sea-side ; 

Paced  up  and  down  the  sands,  and  bared  his  head 
to  the  east-wind. 

Cooling  his  heated  brow,  and  the  fire  and  fever 
within  him. 

Slowly  as  out  of  the  heavens,  with  apocalyptical 
splendors. 

Sank  the  City  of  God,  in  the  vision  of  John  tho 
Apostle, 

So,  with  its  cloudy  walls  of  chrysolite,  jasper,  and 
sapphire. 

Sank  the  broad  red  sun,  and  over  its  turrets  up- 
lifted 

Glimmered  the  golden  reed  of  the  angel  who  meas- 
ured the  city. 

"  Welcome,  O  wind  of  the  East ! "  he  exclaimed 
in  his  wild  exultation, 

"  Welcome,  O  wind  of  the  East,  from  the  ^aves  of 
the  misty  Atlantic ! 

Blowing  o'er  fields  of  dulse,  and  measureless  mead- 
ows of  sea-grass, 


DISH 

1  eyes  ovor- 
I't  you  speak 


ilcxccl  and  be- 
ered  alone  by 
bared  his  head 
fire  and  fever 
h  apocalyptical 
on  of  John  the 
|lite,  jasper,  and 
Ir  its  turrets  up- 
ngel  who  meas- 

ll "  he  exclaimed 
pom  the  ^aves  of 
jasureless  mead- 


COURTSIIIP   OF  MILKS   STANDISII     307 

Blowing  o'er  rocky  wastes,  and   tho  grottos  and 

gardens  of  oeean  I 
Lay  thy  cold,  tnoist  haml  on  my  burning  forehead, 

and  wrap  nie 
Close  in  thy  garments  of  mist,  to  alla^y  tho  fever 

within  mo  I  " 

Like  an  awakened  conscience,  tho  sea  was  moan- 
ing and  tossing. 

Beating  remorseful  and  loud  the  mutable  sands  of 
the  sea-shore. 

Fierce  in  his  soul  was  tho  struggle  and  tumult  of 
passions  contending  ; 

Love  triumphant  and  crowned,  and  friendship 
wounded  and  bleeding, 

Passionate  cries  of  desire,  and  importunate  plead- 
ings of  duty ! 

"  Is  it  my  fault,"  ho  said,  "  that  the  maiden  has 
chosen  between  us? 

Is  it  my  fault  that  he  failed,  —  my  fault  that  I  am 
the  victor  ?  " 

Then  within  him  there  thundered  a  voice,  like  the 
voice  of  tho  Prophet : 

"  It  hfith  displeased  the  Lord !  "  —  and  ho  thought 
of  David's  transgression, 

Bathsheba's  beautiful  face,  and  his  friend  in  the 
front  of  the  battle  ! 

Shame  and  confusion  of  guilt,  and  abasement  and 
self-condemnation. 

Overwhelmed  him  at  once;  and  he  cried  in  the 
deepest  contrition : 

"  It  hath  displeased  the  Ijord !  It  is  the  tempta- 
tion of  Satan ! " 


308     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDI SH 


it* 


\\l 


Then,  uplifting  his  head,  he  looked  at  the  sea, 
and  beheld  there 

Dimly  the  shadowy  form  of  the  Mayflower  riding 
at  anchor, 

Kocked  on  the  rising  tide,  and  ready  to  sail  on  the 
morrow ; 

Heard  the  voices  of  men  through  the  mist,  the  rat- 
tle of  cordage 

Thrown  on  the  deck,  the  shouts  of  the  mate,  and 
the  sailors'  "  Ay,  ay.  Sir !  " 

Clear  and  distinct,  but  not  loud,  in  the  dripping 
air  of  the  twilight. 

Still  for  a  moment  he  stood,  and  listened,  and 
stared  at  the  vessel. 

Then  went  hurriedly  on,  as  one  who,  seeing  a  phan- 
tom, 

Stops,  then  quickens  his  pace,  and  follows  the 
beckoning  shadow. 

"  Yes,  it  is  plain  to  me  now,"  he  murmured ;  "  the 
hand  of  the  Lord  is 

Leading  me  out  of  the  land  of  darkness,  the  bond- 
age of  error. 

Through  the  sea,  that  shall  lift  the  walls  of  its  wa- 
ters around  me, 

Hiding  me,  cutting  me  off,  f rouA  the  cruel  thoughts 
that  pursue  me. 

Back  will  I  go  o'er  the  ocean,  this  dreary  land  will 
abandon. 

Her  whom  I  may  not  love,  and  him  whom  my 
heart  has  offended. 

Better  to  be  in  my  grave  in  the  green  old  church- 
yard in  England, 

Close  by  my  mother's  side,  and  among  the  dust  of 
my  kindred ; 


nsH 

at  the  sea, 
3wer  riding 
)  sail  on  the 
nist,  the  rat- 
be  mate,  and 
the  dripping 
listened,  and 
jeeing  a  phan- 
1  follows  the 
rmured;  "the 
ess,  the  bond- 
rails  of  its  wa- 
Icruel  thoughts 
reary  land  will 
lim  whom  my 
jn  old  church- 
Ln""  the  dust  oi 


COURTSHIP   OF  MILES  STANDISII     309 

Better  be  dead  and  forgotten,  than  living  in  shame 

and  dishonor ; 
Sacred  and  safe  and  unseen,  in  the  dark  of  the 

narrow  chambe  i* 
With  me  my  secret  shall  lie,  like  a  buried  jewel 

that  glimmers 
Bright  on  the  hand  that  is  dust,  in  the  chambers 

of  silence  and  darkness,  — 
Yes,  as  the  marriage  ring  of  the  great  espousal 

hereafter !  " 

Thus  as  he  spake,  he  turned,  in  the  strength  of 
his  strong  resolution, 

Leaving  behind  him  the  yhore,  and  hurried  along 
in  the  twilight, 

Through  the  congenial  gloom  of  the  forest  silent 
and  sombre, 

Till  he  beheld  the  lights  in  the  seven  houses  of 
Plymouth, 

Shining  like  seven  stars  in  the  dusk  and  mist  of 
the  evening. 

Soon  he  entered  his  door,  and  found  the  redoubta- 
ble Captain 

Sitting  alone,  and  absorbed  in  the  martial  pages 
of  Caesar, 

Fighting  some  great  campaign  in  Hainault  or  Bra- 
bant or  Flanders. 

"Long  have  you  been  on  your  errand,"  he  said 
with  a  cheery  demeanor, 

Even  as  one  who  is  waiting  an  answer,  and  fears 
not  the  issue. 

"  Not  far  off  is  the  house,  although  the  woods  are 
between  us ; 


Jl"r'  'I- 

p.'.'.- 


.1i!i 


10' 


<H 


"}■ 


310     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH 

But  you  have  lingered  so  long,  that  while  you  were 
going  and  coming 

I  have  fought  ten  battles  and  sacked  and  demol- 
ished a  city. 

Come,  sit  down,  and  in  order  relate  to  me  all  that 
has  happened." 

Then  John  Alden  spake,  and  related  the  won- 
drous adventure. 

From  beginning  to  end,  minutely,  just  as  it  hap- 
pened ; 

How  he  had  seen  Priscilla,  and  how  he  had  sped 
in  his  courtship. 

Only  smoothing  a  little,  and  softening  down  her 
refusal. 

But  when  he  came  at  length  to  the  words  Priscilla 
had  spoken, 

"Words  so  tender  and  cruel :  "  Why  don'i;  you 
speak  for  yourself,  John  ?  " 

Up  leaped  the  Captain  of  Plymouth,  and  stamped 
on  the  floor,  till  his  armor 

Clanged  on  the  wall,  where  it  hung,  with  a  sound 
of  sinister  omen. 

All  his  pent-up  wrath  burst  forth  in  a  sudden  ex- 
plosion, 

E'en  as  a  hand-grenade,  that  scatters  destruction 
around  it. 

Wildly  he  shouted,  and  loud :  "  John  Alden !  you 
have  betrayed  me ! 

Me,  Miles  Standish,  your  friend !  have  supplanted, 
defrauded,  betrayed  me ! 

One  of  my  ancestors  ran  his  sword  through  the 
heart  of  Wat  Tyler ; 


ISH 

e  you  were 

and  demol- 

,  me  all  that 

;ed  the  won- 
st  as  it  hap- 
r  he  had  sped 
ing  down  her 
yords  Priscilla 
;\iy  don'ii  you 
,  and  stamped 
,  with  a  sound 
a  sudden  ex- 
bers  destruction 
Ihn  Alden!  you 
lave  supplanted, 
)rd  through  the 


COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISIl     311 

Who  shall  prevent  me  from  running  my  own 
through  the  heart  of  a  traitor  ? 

Yours  is  the  greater  treason,  for  yours  is  a  treason 
to  friendship ! 

You,  who  lived  under  my  roof,  whom  I  cherished 
and  loved  as  a  brother ; 

You,  who  have  fed  at  my  board,  and  drunk  at  my 
cup,  to  whose  keeping 

I  have  intrusted  my  honor,  my  thoughts  the  most 
sacred  and  secret,  — 

You  too,  Brutus !  ah  woe  to  the  name  of  friend- 
ship hereafter  ! 

Brutus  was  Caesar's  friend,  and  you  were  mine,  but 
henceforward 

Let  there  be  nothing  between  us  save  war,  and  im- 
placable hatred !  " 

So  spake  the  Captain  of  Plymouth,  and  strode 

about  in  the  chamber. 
Chafing  and  choking  with  rage  ;  like  cords  were 

the  veins  on  his  temples. 
But  in  the  midst  of  his  anger  a  man  appeared  at 

the  doorway. 
Bringing  in  uttermost  haste  a  message  of  urgent 

importance, 
Rumors  of  danger  and  war  and  hostile  incursions 

of  Indians 
Straightway  the    Captain  paused,   and,   without 

further  question  or  parley. 
Took  from  the  nail  on  the  wall  his  sword  with  its 

scabbard  of  iron. 
Buckled  the  belt  round  his  waist,  and,  frowning 

fiercely,  departed. 


1     I 


312     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH 

Alden  was  left  alone.     He  heard  the  clank  of  tlie 

scabl)ard 
Growing  fainter  and  fainter,  and  dying  away  in 

the  distance. 
Then  he  arose  from  his  seat,  and  looked  forth  into 

the  darkness, 
Felt  the  cool  air  blow  on  his  cheek,  that  was  hot 

with  the  insult, 
Lifted  his  eyes  to  the  heavens,  and,  folding  his 

hands  as  in  childhood, 
Prayed  in  the  silence  of  night  to  the  Father  who 

seeth  in  secret. 


Meanwhile  the  choleric  Captain  strode  wrathful 

away  to  the  council. 
Found  it  already  assembled,  imj)atiently  waiting 

his  coming; 
Men  in  the  middle  of  life,  austere  and  grave  in 

deportment. 
Only  one  of  them  old,  the  hill  that  was  nearest  to 

heaven, 
Covered  with  snow,  but  erect,  the  excellent  Elder 

of  Plymouth. 
God  had  sifted  three  kingdoms  to  find  the  wheat 

for  this  planting. 
Then  had  sifted  the  wheat,  as  the  living  seed  of  a 

nation  ; 
So  say  the  chronicles  old,  and  such  is  the  faith  of 

the  people! 
Near  them  was   standing  an   Indian,  in  attitude 

stern  and  defiant. 
Naked  down  to  the  waist,  and  grim  and  ferocious 

in  aspect ; 


MM 


DISH 
lank  of  the 

ng  away  in 

jd  forth  into 

that  was  hot 

L,  folding  his 

e  Father  who 

trode  wrathful 
tiently  waiting 
i  and  grave  in 
was  nearest  to 
■xcellent  Elder 
find  the  wheat 
I  living  seed  of  a 
is  the  faith  of 
lian,  in  attitude 
and  ferocious 


COURTSHIP  OF  MILES   STANDISH     313 

While  on  the  table  before  them  was  lying  unopened 
a  Bible, 

Ponderous,  bound  in  leather,  brass-studded,  printed 
in  Holland, 

And  beside  it  outstretched  the  skin  of  a  rattlesnake 
glittered, 

Filled,  like  a  quiver,  with  arrows;  a  signal  and 
challenge  of  warfare. 

Brought  by  the  Indian,  and  speaking  with  arrowy 
tongues  of  defiance. 

This  Miles  Standish  beheld,  as   he  entered,  and 
heard  them  debating 

What  were  an  answer  befitting  the  hostile  messacc 
and  menace, 

Talking  of  this  and  of  that,  contriving,  suggesting, 
objecting ; 

One  voice  only  for  peace,  and  that  the  voice  of  the 
Elder, 

Judging  it  wise  and  well  that  some  at  least  were 
converted. 

Rather  than  any  were  slain,  for  this  was  but  Chris- 
tian behavior  ! 

Then  out  spake  Miles  Standish,  the  stalwart  Cap- 
tain of  Plymouth, 
Muttering  deep  in   his   throat,  for  his  voice  was 

husky  with  anger, 
"  What  !  do  you  mean  to  make  war  with  milk  and 

the  water  of  roses  ? 
Is  it  to  shoot  red  squirrels  you  have  your  howitzer 

planted 
There  on  the  roof  of  the  church,  or  is  it  to  shoot 

red  devils  ? 
Truly  the  only  tongue  that  is  understood  by  a  sav- 
age 


I   !i-| 


314     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDI SH 

Must  be  the  tongue  of  fire  that  speaks  from  the 

mouth  of  the  cannon  !  " 
Thereupon  answered  and  said  the  excellent  Elder 

of  Plymouth, 
Somewhat  amazed  and  alarmed  at  this  irreverent 

language  : 
"  Not  so  thought  St.  Paul,  nor  yet  the  other  Apos- 
tles ; 
Not  from  the  cannon's  mouth  were  the  tongues  of 

fire  they  spake  with  !  " 
But  unheeded  fell  this  mild  rebuke  on  the  Captain, 
Who  had  advanced  to  the  table,  and  thus  continued 

discoursing  : 
"  Leave  this  matter  to  me,  for  to  me  by  right  it 

pertaineth. 
War  is  a  terrible  trade ;  but  in  the  cause  that  is 

righteous. 
Sweet  is  the  smell  of  powder ;  and  thus  I  answer 

the  challenge  !  " 


Then  from  the  rattlesnake's  skin,  with  a  sudden, 

contemptuous  gesture, 
Jerking  the  Indian  arrows,  he  filled  it  with  powder 

and  bullets 
Full  to  the  very  jaws,  and  handed  it  back  to  the 

savage. 
Saying,  in  thundering  tones  :  "  Here,  take  it!  this 


IS  your  answer 


T  " 


Silently  out  of  the  room  then  glided  the  glistening 


savage. 


Bearing  the  serpent's  skin,  and  seeming  himself 

like  a  serpent. 
Winding  his  sinuous  way  in  the  dark  to  the  depths 

of  the  forest. 


s  from  the 

Uent  Elder 

3  irreverent 

other  Apoa- 

e  tongues  of 

the  Captain, 
bus  continued 

ae  by  right  it 

cause  that  is 

thus  I  answer 

with  a  sudden, 
it  with  powder 
lit  back  to  the 
re,  take  it!  this 
the  glistening 
deeming  himself 
rk  to  the  depths 


COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH     315 


V. 


THE    SAILING    OP   THE  MAYFLOWER. 

Just  in  the  gray  of  the  dawn,  as  the  mists  uprose 
from  the  meadows, 

There  was  a  stir  and  a  sound  in  the  slumbering 
village  of  Plymouth ; 

Clanging  and  clicking  of  arms,  and  the  order  im- 
perative, "  Forward  I  " 

Given  in  tone   suppressed,  a  tramp  of  feet,  and 
then  silence. 

Figures  ten,  in  the  mist,  marched  slowly  out  of  the 
village. 

Standish  the  stalwart  it  was,  with  eight  of  his  val- 
orous army, 

Led  by  their  Indian  guide,  by  Hobomok,  friend  of 
the  white  men, 

Northward  marching  to  quell  the  sudden  revolt  of 
the  savage. 

Giants  they  seemed  in  the  mist,  or  the  mighty  men 
of  King  David ; 

Giants  in  heart  they  were,  who  believed  in  God 
and  the  Bible,  — 

Ay,  who  believed  in  the  smiting  of  Midianites  and 

Philistines. 
Over  them  gleamed  far  olf  the  crimson  banners  of 

morning  ; 
Under  them  loud  on  the  sands,  the  serried  biUows, 

advancing, 
Fired  along  the  line,  and  in  regular  order  re- 
treated. 


316     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH 

Many  a  mile  had  they  marched,  when  at  length 

the  village  of  Plymouth 
Woke  from  its  sleep,   and  arose,   intent  on  its 

manifold  labors. 
Sweet  was  the  air  and  soft ;  and  slowly  the  smoke 

from  the  chimneys 
Rose  over  roofs  of  thatch,  and  pointed  steadily 

eastward ; 
Men  came  forth  from  the  doors,  and  paused  and 

talked  of  the  weather. 
Said  that  the  wind  had  changed,  and  was  blow  ing 

fair  for  the  Mayflower ; 
Talked  of  their  Captain's  departure,  and  all  the 

dangers  that  menaced. 
He  being  gone,  the  town,  and  what  should  be  done 

in  his  absence. 
Merrily  sang  the  birds,  and  the  tender  voices  of 

women 
Consecrated  with  hymns  the  common  cares  of  the 

household. 
Out  of  the  sea  rose  the  sun,  and  the  billows  re- 
joiced at  his  (joming ; 
Beautiful  were  his  feet  on  the  purple  tops  of  the 

mountains ; 
Beautiful  on  the  sails  of  the  Mayflower  riding  at 

anchor. 
Battered  and  blackened  and  worn  by  all  the  storms 

of  the  winter. 
Loosely  against  her  macts  was  hanging  and  flap- 
ping her  canvas, 
Kent  by  so  many  gales,  and  patched  by  the  hands 

of  the  sailors. 
Suddenly  from  her  side,  as  the  sun  rose  over  tbe 

ocean, 


nsH 

n  at  length 
;ent   on   its 
y  the  smoke 
bed  steadily 
paused  and 
was  blowing 
and  all  the 
lould  be  done 
der  voices  of 
1  cares  of  the 
,e  billows  re- 
e  tops  of  the 
wer  riding  at 
all  the  storms 
ing  and  flap- 
by  the  hands 
rose  over  the 


COURTSHIP   OF  MILES  STANDISII     317 

Darted  a  pu£E  of  smoke,  and  floated  seaward  ;  anon 

rang 
Loud  over  field  and  forest  the  cannon's  roar,  and 

the  echoes 
Heard  and  repeated  the  sound,  the  signal-gun  of 

departure  I 
Ah  I  but  with  louder  echoes  replied  the  hearts  of 

the  people ! 
Meekly,  in  voices  subdued,  the  chapter  was  read 

from  the  Bible, 
Meekly  the  prayer  was  begun,  but  ended  in  fervent 

entreaty  I 
Then  from  their  houses  in  haste  came  forth  the 

Pilgrims  of  Plymouth, 
Men  and  women  and  children,  all  hurrying  down 

to  the  sea-shore. 
Eager,  with  tearful  eyes,  to  say  farewell  to  the 

Mayflower, 
Homeward  bound  o'er  the  sea,  and  leaving  them 

here  in  the  desert. 

Foremost  among  them  was  Alden.    All  night  he 

had  lain  without  slumber, 
Turning  and  tossing  about  in  the  heat  and  unrest 

of  his  fever. 
He  had  beheld  Miles  Standish,  who  came  back  late 

from  the  council, 
Stalking  into  the  room,  and  heard  him  mutter  and 

murmur, 
Sometimes  it  seemed  a  prayer,  and  sometimes  it 

sounded  like  swearing. 
Once  he  had  come  to  the  bed,  and  stood  there  a 

moment  in  silence ; 


11^ 


818     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISU 

Then  he  had  turned  away,  and  said  :    ''  I  will  not 

awake  hiui ; 
Let  him  sleep  on,  it  is  best ;  for  what  is  the  use  of 

more  talking  I  " 
Then  he  extinguished  the  light,  and  threw  himself 

down  on  his  pallet, 
Dressed  as  he  was,  and  ready  to  start  at  the  break 

of  the  morning,  — 
Covered  himself  with  the  cloak  he  had  worn  in  his 

campaigns  in  Flanders,  — 
Slept  as  a  soldier  sleeps  in  his  bivouac,  ready  for 

action. 
But  with  the  dawn  he  arose  ;  in  the  twilight  Alden 

beheld  him 
Pp.t  on  his  corselet  of  steel,  and  all  the  rest  of  his 

armor. 
Buckle  about  his  waist  his  trusty  blade  of  Da- 
mascus, 
Take  from  the  corner  his  musket,  and  so  stride  out 

of  the  chamber. 
Often  the   heart  of  the  youth  had  burned  and 

yearned  to  emb.  ice  him. 
Often  his  lips  had  essayed  to  speak,  imploring  for 

pardon ; 
All  the  old  friendship  came  back,  with  its  tender 

and  grateful  emotions ; 
But   his  pride  overmastered    the    nobler  nature 

within  him,  — 
Pride,  and  the  sense  of  his  wrong,  and  the  burning 

fire  of  the  insult. 
So  he  beheld  his  friend  departing  in  anger,  but 

spake  not. 
Saw  him  go  forth  to  danger,  perhaps  to  death,  and 

he  spake  not  I 


ISH 
1  will  not 

the  use  of 

ew  himself 

,t  the  break 

worn  in  his 

ic,  ready  for 

rilight  Aldeu 

.e  rest  of  his 

blade  of  Da- 

L  so  stride  out 

burned  and 

imploring  for 

ith  its  tender 

obler  nature 

d  the  burning 

n  anger,  but 

to  death,  and 


COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISII     319 

Then  he  arose  from  his  bed,  and  heard  what  the 

people  were  saying, 
Joined  in  the  talk  at  the  door,  with  Stephen  and 

Richard  and  Gilbert, 
Joined  in  the  morning  prayer,  and  in  the  reading 

of  Scripture, 
And,  with  the  others,  in  haste  went  hurrying  down 

to  the  sea-shore, 
Down  to  the  Plymouth  Hock,  that  had  been  to  their 

feet  as  a  doorstep 
Into  a  world  unknown,  —  the  corner-stone  of  a 

nation  I 

There  with  his  boat  was  the  Master,  already  a 

little  impatient 
Lest  he  should  lose  the  tide,  or  the  wind  might  shift 

to  the  eastward. 
Square-built,  hearty,  and  strong,  with  an  odor  of 

ocean  about  him. 
Speaking  with  this  one  and  that,  and  cramming  let- 
ters and  parcels 
Into  his  pockets  capacious,  and  messages  mingled 

together 
Into  his  narrow  brain,  till  at  last  he  was  wholly 

bewildered. 
Nearer  the  boat  stood  Alden,  with  one  foot  placed 

on  the  gunwale, 
One  still  firm  on  the  rock,  and  talking  at  times 

with  the  sailors. 
Seated  erect  on  the  thwarts,  all  ready  and  eager 

for  starting. 
He  too  was  eager  to  go,  and  thus  put  an  end  to  his 

anguish. 


'*»p«flt«w 


St- 


W^ 


320     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STAN  DISH 

Thiukingf  to  fly  from  despair,  that  swifter  than  keel 

is  or  can  van, 
Thinking  to  drown  in  the  sea  the  ghost  that  would 

rine  and  purHue  him. 
But  as  he  gazed  on  the  crowd,  he  beheld  the  form 

of  Priscilla 
Standing  dejected  among  them,  unconscious  of  all 

that  was  passing. 
Fixed  were  her  eyes  upon  his,  as  if  she  divined  his 

intention. 
Fixed  with  a  look  so  sad,  so  reproachful,  imploring, 

and  ])atient. 
That  with  a  sudden  revulsion  his  heart  recoiled 

from  its  purpose. 
As  from  the  verge  of  a  crag,  where  one  step  more 

is  destruction. 
Strange  is  the  heart  of  man,  with  its  quick,  mys- 
terious instincts  I 
Strange  is  the  life  of  man,  and  fatal  or  fated  are 

moments. 
Whereupon  turn,  as  on  hinges,  the  gates  of  the 

wall  adamantine ! 
"  Here  I  remain  I  "  he  exclaimed,  as  he  looked  at 

the  heavens  above  him. 
Thanking  the  Lord  whose  breath  had  scattered  the 

mist  and  the  madness. 
Wherein,  blind  and  lost,  to  dct '''  he  was  stagger- 
ing headlong. 
"  Yonder  snow-white  cloud,  that  floats  in  the  ether 

above  me, 
Seems  like  a  hand  that  is  pointing  and  beckoning 

over  the  ocean. 
There  is  another  hand,  that  is  not  so  spectral  and 

ghost-like, 


ISII 

r  than  keel 

that  would 
d  the  form 
[•ious  of  all 
divined  his 
1,  imploring, 
Bart  recoiled 
ae  step  more 
;8  quick,  mys- 
or  fated  are 
gates  of  the 
he  looked  at 
scattered  the 
was  stagger- 
Is  in  the  ether 
Ind  beckoning 
spectral  and 


COURTSinP   OF  MILES   STANDI SII     1121 

Holding  mo,  drawing  mo  back,  and  clasping  mine 

for  protection. 
Float,  O  hand  of  cloud,  and  vanish  away  in  the 

ether  1 
Roll  thyself  up  like  a  fist,  to  threaten  and  daunt 

me  ;  I  htu'd  not 
Either  your  warning  or  menace,  or  any  omen  of 

evill 
There  is  no  land  so  saored,  no  air  so  pure  and  so 

wholesome. 
As  is  the  air  she  breathes,  and  the  soil   that  is 

pressed  by  her  footsteps. 
Here  for  her  sake  will  1  stay,  and  like  an  invisible 

presence 
Hover  around  her  forever,  protecting,  supporting 

her  weakness ; 
Yes !  as  my  foot  was  the  first  that  stepped  on  this 

rock  at  the  landing. 
So,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  shall  it  be  the  last 

at  tlie  leaving !  " 

Meanwhile  the  Master  alert,  but  witli  dignified 
air  and  important. 

Scanning  with  watchful  eye  the  tide  and  the  wind 
and  the  weather, 

Walked  about  on  the  sands,  and  the  people  crowded 
around  him 

Saying  a  few  last  words,  and  enforcing  his  careful 
remembrance. 

Then,  taking  each  by  the  hand,  as  if  he  were  grasp- 
ing a  tiller, 

Into  the  boat  he  sprang,  and  in  haste  shoved  off  to 
his  vessel, 


322     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH 

Glad  in  his  heart  to  get  rid  of  all  this  worry  and 

flurry, 
Glad  to  be  gone  from  a  land  of  sand  and  sickness 

and  sorrow, 
Short  allowance  of  victual,  and  plenty  of  nothing 

but  Gospel ! 
Lost  in  the  sound  of  the  oars  was  the  last  farewell 

of  the  Pilgrims. 
O  strong  hearts  and  true  I  not  one  went  back  in 

the  Mayflower! 
No,  not  one  looked  back,  who  had  set  his  hand  to 

this  ploughing  I 

Soon  were  heard  on  board  the  shouts  and  songs 

of  the  sailors 
Heaving  the  windlass  round,  and  hoisting  the  pon- 
derous anchor. 
Then  the  yards  were  braced,  and  all  sails  set  to  the 

west-wind, 
Blowing  steady  and  strong;  and  the  Mayflower 

sailed  from  the  harbor. 
Rounded  the  point  of  the  Gurnet,  and  leaving  far 

to  the  southward 
Island  and  cape  of  sand,  and  the  Field  of  the  First 

Encounter, 
Took  the  wind  on  her  quarter,  and  stood  for  the 

open  Atlantic, 
Borne  on  the  send  of  the  sea,  and  the  swelling 

hearts  of  the  Pilgrims. 

Long  in  silence  they  watched  the  receding  sail 
of  the  vessel, 
Much  endeared  to  them  all,  as  something  living 
and  human : 


4 


DISH 

3  worry  and 

and  sickness 
y  of  notbing 
J  last  farewell 
went  back  in 
3t  bis  band  to 

outs  and  songs 
listing  tbe  pon- 
1  sails  set  to  tbe 
tbe  Mayflower 
and  leaving  far 
rield  of  tbe  First 
id  stood  for  tbe 
md  tbe  sweUing 

Itbe  receding  saU 
sometbing  living 


COURT SIITP  OF  MILES  STANDI SH     323 

Then,  as  if  filled  witb  the  spirit,  and  wrapt  in  a 

viri;ion  prophetic. 
Baring  his   hoary  head,  the   excellent   Elder  of 

Plymouth 
Said,   "  Let   us   pray  !  "    and   they  prayed,   and 

thanked  the  Lord  and  took  courao-e. 
Mournfully  sobbed  the  waves  at  the  base  of  the 

rock,  and  above  them 
Bowed  and  whispered  the  wheat  on  the  hill  of 

death,  and  their  kindred 
Seemed  to  awake  in  their  graves,  and  to  join  in  the 

prayer  that  they  uttered. 
Sun-illumined  and  white,  on  the  eastern  verge  of 

the  ocean 
Gleamed  the  departing  sail,  like  a  marble  slab  in 

a  graveyard ; 
Buried  beneath  it  lay  forever  all  hope  of  escaping. 
Lo !  as  they  turned  to  depart,  they  saw  the  form  of 

an  Indian, 
Watching  them  from  the  hill ;  but  while  they  spake 

with  each  other, 
Pointing   with    outstretched    hands,   and   saying, 

"  Look  !  "  he  had  vanished. 
So  they  returned  to  their  homes ;  but  Alden  lin- 
gered a  little, 
Musing  alone  on  the  shore,  and  watching  the  wash 

of  the  billows 
Round  the  base  of  the  rock,  and  the  sparkle  and 

flash  of  the  sunshine. 
Like  the  spirit  of   God,  moving  visibly  over  the 

waters. 


Ht'' 


324     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDI SH 


VI. 


PRISCILLA. 


Thus  for  a  while  he  stood,  and  mused  by  the  shore 
of  the  ocean, 

Thinking  of  many  things,  and  most  of  all  of  Pris- 
cilla ; 

And  as  if  thought  had  the  power  to  draw  to  itself, 
like  the  loadstone, 

Whatsoever  it  touches,  by  subtiJe  laws  of  its  na- 
ture, 

Lo !  as  he  turned  to  depart,  Priscilla  was  standing 
beside  him. 


"  Are  you  so  much  offended,  you  will  not  speak 

to  me  ?  "  said  she. 
"  Am  I  so  much  to  blame,  that  yesterday,  when 

you  were  pleading 
Warmly  the  cause  of  another,  my  heart,  impulsive 

and  wayward. 
Pleaded  your  own,  and  spake  out,  forgetfid  per- 
haps of  decoriun  ? 
Certainly  you  can  forgive  me  for  sneaking  so 

frankly,  for  saying 
What  I  ought  not  to  have  said,  yet  now  I  can 

never  unsay  it ; 
Foi  there  are  moments  in  life,  when  the  heart  is 

so  full  of  emotion, 
That  if  by  chance  it  be  shaken,  or  into  its  depths 

like  a  pebble 
Drops  some  careless  word,  it  overflows,  and  its 

secret, 


mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 


ISH 


>y  tlie  shore 
all  of  Pris- 
?aw  to  itself, 
ITS  of  its  na- 
was  standing 

nil  not  speak 
iterday,  when 
art,  impulsive 
orgetful  per- 
sj^eaking  so 
et  now  I  can 
n  the  heart  is 
into  its  depths 
flows,  and  its 


COURTSHIP   OF  MILES  STANDISII     325 

Spilt  on  the  ground  like  water,  can  never  be  gath- 
ered together. 

Yesterday  I  was  shocked,  when  I  heard  you  speak 
of  Miles  Standish, 

Praising  his  virtues,  transforming  his  very  defects 
into  virtues, 

Praising  his  courage  and  strength,  and  even  his 
fighting  in  Flanders, 

As  if  by  fighting  alone  you  could  win  the  heart  of 
a  woman, 

Quite  overlooking  yourself  and  the  rest,  in  exalt- 
ing your  hero. 

Therefore  I  spake  as  I  did,  by  an  irresistible  im- 
pulse. 

You  wUl  forgive  me,  I  hope,  for  the  sake  of  the 
friendship  between  us. 

Which  is  too  true  and  too  sacred  to  be  so  easily 
broken ! " 

Thereupon  answered  John  Alden,  the  scholar,  the 
friend  of  Miles  Standish : 

"  I  was  not  angry  with  you,  with  myself  alone  I 
was  angry, 

Seeing  how  badly  I  managed  the  matter  I  had  in 
my  keeping." 

"No!"    interrupted    the    maiden,    with    answer 
prompt  and  decisive ; 

"No;  you  were  angry  with  me,  for  speaking  so 
frankly  and  freely. 

It  was  wrong,  I  acknowledge  ;  for  it  is  the  fate  of 
a  woman 

Long  to  be  patient  and  silent,  to  wait  like  a  ghost 
that  is  speechless. 

Till  some  questioning  voice  dissolves  the  spell  of 
its  silence. 


326      COURTSHIP   OF  MILES   STAN  DISH 

Hence    is    the    inner  life   of    so    many  suffering 

women 
Sunless  and   silent   and   deep,  like  subterranean 

rivers 
Running  through   caverns  of   darkness,   unheard, 

unseen,  and  unfruitful. 
Chafing  their  channels  of  stone,  with  endless  and 

profitless  murmurs." 
Thereupon  answered  John  Alden,  the  young  man, 

the  lover  of  women  : 
"  Heaven  forbid  it,  Friscilla  ;  and  truly  they  seem 

to  me  always 
More  like  the  beautiful  rivers  that  watered  the 

garden  of  Eden, 
More  like  the  river  Euphrates,  through  deserts  of 

Havilah  flowing. 
Filling  the  land  with  delight,  and  memories  sweet 

of  the  garden  !  " 
"  Ah,  by  these  words,  I  can  see,"  again  interrupted 

the  maiden, 
"  How  very  little  you  prize  me,  or  care  for  what  I 

am  saying. 
When  from  the  depths  of  my  heart,  in  pain  and 

with  secret  misgiving. 
Frankly  I  speak  to  you,  asking  for  sympathy  only 

and  kindness, 
Straightway  you  take  up  my  words,  that  are  plain 

and  direct  and  in  earnest. 
Turn  them  away  from  their  meaning,  and  answer 

with  flattering  phrases. 
This  is  not  right,  is  not  just,  is  not  true  to  the  best 

that  is  in  you ; 
For  I  know  and  esteem  you,  and  feel  that  your 

nature  is  noble, 


■■■■■■■MHMtHMiii 


OJSII 

ly  suffering 

ubterranean 

ss,  unliearcl, 

endless  and 


young 


man, 


Lily  tliey  seem 
;  watered  tlie 
ugli  deserts  of 
aemories  sweet 
ain  interrupted 
care  for  what  I 
t,  in  pain  and 
sympathy  only 
,  that  are  plain 
ing,  and  answer 
true  to  the  best 
feel  that  your 


COURTSHIP   OF  MILES  STANDI S II     327 

Lifting  mine  up  to  a  higher,  a  more  ethereal  level. 

Therefore  I  value  your  friendship,  and  feel  it  per- 
haps the  more  keenly 

If  you  say  aught  that  implies  I  am  only  as  one 
among  many, 

If  you  make  use  of  those  common  and  eompllmen- 
tary  phrases 

Most  men  think  so  fine,  in  dealing  and  speakinor 
with  women, 

But  whieh  women  reject  as  insipid,  if  not  as  in- 
sulting." 

Mute  and  amazed  was  Alden  ;  and  listened  and 
looked  at  Priscilla, 

Thinking  he  never  had  seen  her  more  fair,  more 
divine  in  her  beauty. 

He  who  but  yesterday  pleaded  so  gHbly  the  causij 
of  another, 

Stood  there  embarrassed  and  silent,  and  seeking  in 
vain  for  an  answer. 

So  the  maiden  went  on,  and  little  divined  or  im- 
agined 

What  was  at  work  in  his  heart,  that  made  him  so 
awkward  and  speechless. 

^'  Lei  us,  then,  be  what  we  are,  and  speak  what 
we  think,  and  in  all  things 

Keep  ourselves  loyal  to  truth,  and  the  sacred  pro- 
fessions of  friendship. 

It  is  no  secret  I  tell  you,  nor  am  I  ashamed  to  de- 
clare it : 

I  have  liked  to  be  with  you,  to  see  you,  to  speak 
with  you  always. 

So  I  was  hurt  at  your  words,  and  a  little  affronted 
to  hear  you 


328     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDI SH 

Urge  me  to  marry  your  friend,  though  he  were  the 

Captain  Miles  Standish. 
For  I  must  tell  you  the  truth :  much  more  to  me  is 

your  friendship 
Than  all  the  love  he  could  give,  were  he  twice  the 

hero  you  think  him." 
Then   she   extended   her   hand,  and  Alden,  who 

eagerly  grasped  it. 
Felt  all  the  wounds  in  his  heart,  that  were  aching 

and  bleeding  so  sorely, 
Healed  by  the  touch  of  that  hand,  and  he  said, 

with  a  voice  full  of  feeling  : 
"  Yes,  we  must  ever  be  friends ;   and  of  all  who 

offer  you  friendship 
Let  me  be  ever  the  first,  the  truest,  the  nearest 

and  dearest ! " 


Casting  a  farewell  look  at  the  glimmering  sail  of 

the  Mayflower, 
Distant,  but  still  in  sight,  and  sinking  below  the 

horizon. 
Homeward  together  they  walked,  with  a  strange, 

indefinite  feeling. 
That  all  the  rest  had  departed  and  left  them  alone 

in  the  desert. 
But,  as  they  went  through  the  fields  in  the  blessing 

and  smile  of  the  sunshine, 
Lighter  grew  their  hearts,  and  Priscilla  said  very 

archly : 
"  Now  that  our  terrible  Captain  has  gone  in  pursuit 

of  the  Indians, 
Where  he  is  happier  far  than  he  would  be  com- 
manding a  household. 


m 


OISH 

be  were  the 

ore  to  me  is 

tie  twice  the 

Alden,  who 

were  aching 

and  he  said, 

d  of  all  who 

t,  the  nearest 

imering  sail  of 
ing  below  the 
ith  a  strange, 
jft  them  alone 
in  the  blessing 
;cilla  said  very 
jone  in  pursuit 
rould  be  com- 


COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH     329 

You  may  speak  boldly,  and  tell  me  of  all  that 
happened  between  you. 

When  you  returned  last  night,  and  said  how  un- 
grateful you  found  me." 

Thereupon  answered  John  Alden,  and  told  her  the 
whole  of  the  story,  — 

Told  her  his  own  despair,  and  the  direful  wrath  of 
Miles  Standish. 

Whereat  the  maiden  smiled,  and  said  between 
laughing  and  earnest, 

"  He  is  a  little  chimney,  and  heated  hot  in  a  mo- 
ment ! " 

But  as  he  gently  rebuked  her,  and  told  her  how  he 
had  suffered,  — 

How  he  had  even  determined  to  sail  that  day  in 
the  Mayflower, 

And  had  remained  for  her  sake,  on  hearing  the 
dangers  that  threatened,  — 

All  her  manner  was  changed,  and  she  said  with  a 
faltering  accent, 

"  Truly  I  thank  you  for  this  :  how  good  you  have 
been  to  me  always  I " 

Thus,  as  a  pilgrim  devout,  who  toward  Jeru- 
salem journeys. 

Taking  three  steps  in  advance,  and  one  reluctantly 
backward, 

Urged  by  importunate  zeal,  and  withheld  by  pangs 
of  contrition ; 

Slowly  but  steadily  onward,  receding  yet  ever  ad- 
vancing. 

Line  7.    But  as  he  gently  rebuked  her,  and  told  her  how  much  he  had 
suffered,  — 


I    ^ 


■J 


830     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH 


1 
I 


I 


Journeyed  this  Puritan  youth  to  the  Holy  Land  of 
his  longings, 

Urged  by  the  fervor  of  love,  and  withheld  by  re- 
morseful misgivings. 

VII. 

THE   MARCH   OF  MILES   STANDISH. 

Meanwhile  the  stalwart  Miles  Standish  was  march- 
ing steadily  northward. 
Winding  through  forest  and  swamp,  and  along  the 

trend  of  the  sea-shore, 
All  day  long,  with  hardly  a  halt,  the  fire  of  his 

anger 
Burning  and  crackling  within,  and  the  sulphurous 

odor  of  powder 
Seeming  more  sweet  to  his  nostrils  than  all  the 

scents  of  the  forest. 
Silent  and  moody  he  went,  and  much  he  revolved 

his  discomfort ; 
He  who  was  used  to  success,  and  to  easy  victories 

always, 
Thus  to  be  flouted,  rejected,  and  laughed  to  scorn 

by  a  maiden. 
Thus  to  be  mocked  and  betrayed  by  the  friend 

whom  most  he  had  trusted  ! 
Ah !  't  was  too  much  to  be  borne,  and  he  fretted 

and  chafed  in  his  armor  ! 


"  I  alone  am  to  blame,"  he  muttered,  "  for  mina 
was  the  folly. 
What  has  a  rough  old  soldier,  grown  grim  and 
gray  in  the  harness. 


I 


»' 


DISH 

oly  Land  of 

ibeld  by  re- 


MSH. 

h  was  march- 
md  along  the 
le  fire  of  his 
be  sulphurous 
\  than  aU  the 
ih  he  revolved 
easy  victories 
hed  to  scorn 
y  the  friend 
Ind  he  fretted 

}d,  "  for  mine 
grim  and 


COUni'SHIP   OF  MILES  STANDISII     331 

Used  to  the  camp  and  its  ways,  to  do  with  the 

wooing  of  maidens  ? 
'T  was  but  a  dream,  —  let  it  pass,  —  let  it  vanish 

like  so  many  others ! 
What  I  thought  was  a  flower,  is  only  a  weed,  and 

is  worthless ; 
Out  of  my  heart  will  I  pluck  it,  and  throw  it 

away,  and  henceforward 
Be  but  a  fighter  of  battles,  a  lover  and  wooer  of 

dangers  I " 
Thus  he  revolved  in  his  mind  his  sorry  defeat  and 

discomfort. 
While  he  was  marching  by  day  or  lying  at  night  in 

the  forest. 
Looking  up  at  the  trees,  and  the  constellations  be- 
yond them. 

After  a  three  days'  march  he  came  to  an  Indian 
encampment 

Pitched  on  the  edge  of  a  meadow,  between  the  sea 
and  the  forest ; 

AVomen  at  work  by  the  tents,  and  warriors,  horrid 
with  war-paint. 

Seated  about  a  fire,  and  smoking  and  talking  to- 
gether ; 

Who,  when  they  saw  from  afar  the  sudden  ap- 
proach of  the  white  men. 

Saw  the  flash  of  the  sun  on  breastplate  and  sabi? 
and  musket. 

Straightway  leaped  to  their  feet,  and  two,  from 
among  them  advancing. 

Came  to  parley  with  StandisJi,  and  offer  him  furs 
as  a  present ; 


Mi> 


m 


t    V 


i 

f 

i 
i 


I 


382     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH 

Friendship  was  in  their  looks,  but  in  their  hearts 

there  was  hatred. 
Braves  of  the  tribe  were  these,  and  brothers,  gi- 
gantic in  stature, 
Huge  as  Goliath  of  Gath,  or  the  terrible  Og,  king 

of  Bashan  ; 
One  was  Pecksuot  named,  and  the  other  was  called 

Wattawamat. 
Round  their  necks  were  suspended  their  knives  in 

scabbards  of  wampum. 
Two-edged,  trenchant  knives,  with  points  as  sharp 

as  a  needle. 
Other  arms  had  they  none,  for  they  were  cunning 

and  crafty. 
"  Welcome,  English  !  "  they  said,  —  these  words 

they  had  learned  from  the  traders 
Touching  at  times  on  the  coast,  to  barter  and 

chaffer  for  peltries. 
Then  in  their  native  tongue  they  began  to  parley 

with  Standish, 
Through   his   guide   and    interpreter,   Hobomok, 

friend  of  the  white  man. 
Begging  for  blankets  and  knives,  but  mostly  for 

muskets  and  powder. 
Kept  by  the  white  man,  they  said,  concealed,  with 

the  plague,  in  his  cellars. 
Ready  to  be  let  loose,  and  destroy  his  brother  the 

red  man ! 
But  when  Standish  refused,  and  said  he  would  give 

them  the  Bible, 
Suddenly  changing  their  tone,  they  began  to  boast 

and  to  bluster. 
Then  Wattawamat  advanced  with  a  stride  in  front 

of  the  other. 


ISH 

leir  hearts 

rothers,  gi- 

e  Og,  king 

was  called 

ir  kuives  in 

ats  as  sharp 

ere  cunning 

these  words 
ers 
barter  and 

ran  to  parley 

Hobomok, 

b  mostly  for 

icealed,  with 

brother  the 

e  would  give 

sgan  to  boast 

Iride  in  front 


COURT  SHIP  OF  MILES  STAN  DISH     333 

And,  witli  a  lofty  demeanor,  thus  vauntingly  spake 

to  the  Captain  : 
"  Now  Wattawamat  can  see,  by  the  fiery  eyes  of 

the  Captain, 
Angry  is  he  in  his  heart ;   but  the  heart  oi  the 

bravo  Wattawamat 
Is  not  afraid  at  the  sight.     He  was  not  born  of  a 

woman, 
But  on  a  mountain  at  night,  from  an  oak-tree  riven 

by  lightning. 
Forth  he  sprang  at  a  bound,  with  all  his  weapons 

about  him. 
Shouting,  '  Who  is  there  here  to  fight  with  the 

brave  Wattawamat ? '" 
Then  he  unsheathed  his  knife,  and,  whetting  the 

blade  on  his  left  hand, 
Held  it  aloft  and  displayed  a  woman's  face  on  the 

handle ; 
Saying,  with  bitter  expression  and  look  of  sinister 

meaning : 
"  I  have  another  at  home,  with  the  face  of  a  man 

on  the  handle ; 
By  and  by  they  shall  marry ;  and  there  will  be 

plenty  of  children  I  " 

Then  stood  Fecksuot  forth,  self-vaunting,  insult- 
ing Miles  Standish : 

While  with  his  fingers  he  patted  the  knife  that 
hung  at  his  bosom. 

Drawing  it  half  from  its  sheath,  and  plunging  it 
back,  as  he  muttered, 

"  By  and  by  it  shall  see ;  it  shall  eat ;  2.\  ha  I  but 
shall  speak  not ! 


^'! 


834     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH 

This  in  the  mighty  Captain  tlio  >vhito  men  have 

sent  to  destroy  uh  I 
He  is  a  little  man ;  let  him  go  and  work  with  the 

won)  en  I  " 


i;       ■"■:' 


\ 


I 


♦I 


Meanwhile  Stand  ish  had  noted  the  faces  and 

figures  of  Indians 
Peeping  and  creeping  about  from  bush  to  tree  in 

the  forest, 
^Feigning  to  look  for  game,  with  arrows  set  on  their 

bow-strings, 
Drawing  about  him  still  closer  and  closer  the  net 

of  their  ambush. 
But    undaunted   he    stood,   and   t'^'ssembled  and 

treated  them  smoothly ; 
So  the  old  chronicles  say,  that  were  writ  m  the 

days  of  the  fathers. 
But  when  he  heard  their  defiance,  the  boast,  the 

taunt,  and  the  insult. 
All  the  hot  blood  of  his  race,  of  Sir  Hugh  and  of 

Thurston  de  Standish, 
Boiled  and  beat  in  his  heart,  and  swelled  in  the 

veins  of  his  temples. 
Headlong  he  leaped  on  the  boaster,  and,  snatching 

his  knife  from  its  scabbard. 
Plunged  it  into  his  heart,  and,  reeling  backward, 

the  savage 
Fell  with  his  face  to  the  sky,  and  a  fiendlike  fierce- 
ness upon  it. 
Straight  there  arose  from  the  forest  the  awful 

sound  of  the  war-whoop. 
And,  like  a  flurry  of  snow  on  the  whistling  wind 

of  December, 


isn 

men  have 
k  with  the 

faces  and 
i  to  tree  in 
set  on  their 
aser  the  net 
iembled  and 
writ  ^n  thft 
he  boast,  the 
Hugh  and  of 
svelled  in  the 
nd,  snatching 
g  backward, 
ndlike  fierce- 
st the  awful 
histling  wind 


COUHTSUIP   OF  MILES  STANDlSIl     335 

Swift  and   sudden    and  keen   came  a  flight  of 

feathery  arrows. 
Then  came  a  cloud  of  smoke,  and  out  of  the  cloud 

came  the  lightning, 
Out  of  the  lightning  thunder ;  aud  death  uiisuen 

ran  before  it. 
Frightened  the  savages  fled  for  shelter  in  swamp 

and  in  thicket. 
Hotly  pursued  and  beset ;  but  their  sachem,  the 

bravo  Wattawamat, 
Fled  not;  he  was  dead.     Unswerving  and  swift 

had  a  bullet 
Passed  through  his  brain,  and  ho  fell  with  both 

hands  clutching  the  greensward. 
Seeming  in  death  to  hold  back  from  his  foe  the 

land  of  his  fathers. 

There  on  the  flowers  of  the  meadow  the  warriors 

lay,  and  above  them, 
Silent,  with  folded  arms,  sto(  I  Hobomok,  friend 

of  the  white  man. 
Smiling  at  length  he  exclaimed  to  the  stalwart 

Captain  of  Plymouth :  — 
"  Pecksuot  bragged  very  loud,  of  his  courage,  his 

strength,  and  his  stature,  — 
Mocked  the  great  Captain,  and  called  him  a  little 

man  ;  but  I  see  now 
Big  enough  have  you  been  to  lay  him  speechless 

before  you ! " 

Thus  the  first  battle  was  fought  and  won  by  the 
stalwart  Miles  Standish. 
When  the  tidings  thereof  were  brought  to  the  vil- 
lage of  Plymouth, 


m 


336     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDI SH 

And  as  a  trophy  of  war  the  head  of  the  brave 

Wattawamat 
Scowled  from  the  roof  of  the  fort,  which  at  once 

was  a  church  and  a  fortress, 
All  who  beheld  it  rejoiced,  and  praised  the  Lord, 

and  took  courage. 
Only  Priscilla  averted  her  face  from  this  spectre 

of  terror, 
Thanking  God  in  her  heart  that  she  had  not  mar- 
ried Miles  Standish ; 
Shrinking,  fearing  almost,  lest,  coming  home  from 

his  battles, 
He  should  !ay  claim  to  her  hand,  as  the  prize  and 

reward  of  his  valor. 


VIII. 


THE  SPINNING-WHEEL. 


M 


Month  after  month  passed  away,  and  in  Autumn 

the  ships  of  the  merchants 
Came  with  kindred  and  friends,  with  cattle  and 

corn  for  the  Pilgrims. 
All  in  the  village  was  peace ;  the  men  were  intent 

on  their  labors. 
Busy  with  hewing  and  building,  with  garden-plot 

and  with  merestead. 
Busy  with  breaking  the  glebe,  and  mowing  the 

grass  in  the  meadows. 
Searching  the  sea  for  its  fish,  and  hunting  the  deer 

in  the  forest. 
All  in  the  village  wa&  peace ;  but  at  times  the 

rumor  of  warfare 


B*»^ 


ISH 

the  trave 

ch  at  once 

the  Lord, 

;his  spectre 

id  not  mar- 

r  home  from 

le  prize  and 


COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH     337 

Filled  the  air  with  alarm,  and  the  apprehension  of 

danger. 
Bravely  the  stalwart  Standish  was  scouring  the 

land  with  his  forces, 
"Waxing  valiant  in  fight  and  defeating  the  alien 

armies. 
Till  his  name  had  become  a  sound  of  fear  to  the 

nations. 
Anger  was  still  in  his  heart,  but  at  times  the  re- 
morse and  contrition 
Which  in  all  noble  natures  succeed  the  passionate 

outbreak, 
Came  like  a  rising  tide,  that  encounters  the  rush 

of  a  river. 
Staying  its  current  awhile,  but  making  it  bitter 

and  brackish. 


I  in  Autumn 

h  cattle  and 

were  intent 

garden-plot 

mowing  the 

tiiOg  the  deer 

at  times  the 


Meanwhile  Alden  at  home  had  built  him  a  new 

habitation. 
Solid,  substantial,  of  timber  rough-hewn  from  the 

firs  of  the  forest. 
Wooden-barred  was  the  door,  and  the  roof  was 

covered  with  rushes ; 
Latticed  the  windows  were,  and  the  window-panes 

were  of  paper. 
Oiled  to  admit  the  light,  while  wind  and  rain  were 

excluded. 
There  too  he  dug  a  well,  and  around  it  planted  an 

orchard : 
Still  may  be  seen  to  this  day  some   trace  of  the 

well  and  the  orchard. 
Close  to  the  house  w  as  the  stall,  where,  safe  and 

secure  from  annoyance, 


338      COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISE 


Raghorn,  the  snow-white  oall,  that  had  fallen  to 

Alden's  allotment 
In  the  division  of  cattle,  might  ruminate  in  the 

night-time 
Over  the  pastures  he  cropped,  made  fragrant  by 

sweet  penuyroyal. 

Oft  when  his  labor  was  finished,  with  e{<ger  feet 

would  the  dreamer 
Follow  the  pathway  that  ran  through  the  woods  to 

the  house  of  PrisciUa, 
Led  by  illusions  romantic  and  subtile  deceptions  of 

fancy, 
Pleasure  disguised  as  duty,  and  love  in  the  sem- 
blance of  friendship. 
Ever  of  her  he  thought,  when  he  fashioned  the 

walls  of  his  dwelling ; 
Ever  of  her  he  thought,  when  he  delved  in  the  soil 

of  his  garden ; 
Ever  of  her  he  thought,  when  he  read  in  his  Bible 

on  Sunday 
Praise  of  the  virtuous  woman,  as  she  is  described 

in  the  Proverbs,  — 
How  the  heart  of  her  husband  doth  safely  trust  in 

her  always, 
How  all  the  days  of  her  life  she  will  do  him  good, 

and  not  evil. 
How  she  seeketh  the  wool  and  the  flax  and  work- 

eth  with  gladness, 
How  she  layeth  her  hand  to  the  spindle  and  hold- 

eth  the  distaff, 

Line  1.    Raghorn,  the  snow-white  steer,  that  had  fallen  to  Mden's  allot- 
meut 


iMMMM 


■ILLiJ.liaiLil' 


■r* 


fallen  to 
te  in  the 
igrant  by 

e?ger  feet 
e  woods  to 
sceptions  of 
n  the  sem- 
ihioned  the 
1  in  the  soil 
in  his  Bible 
s  described 
ely  trust  in 
him  good, 
and  work- 
e  and  hold- 
to  Mden'8  allot- 


COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH     339 

How  she  is  not  afraid  of  the  snow  for  herself  or 
her  household, 

Knowing  h-  household  are  clothed  with  the  scar- 
let cloth  of  her  weaving  ! 

So  as  she  sat  at  her  wheel  one  afternoon  in  the 
Autumn, 

Alden,  who  opposite  sat,  and  was  watching  her 
dexterous  fingers. 

As  if  the  thread  she  was  spinning  were  that  of  his 
life  and  his  fortune. 

After  a  pause  in  their  talk,  thus  spake  to  the  sound 
of  the  spindle. 

"  Truly,  Priscilla,"  he  said,  "  when  I  see  you  spin- 
ning and  spinning. 

Never  idle  a  moment,  but  thriftj-  and  thoughtful 
of  others, 

Suddenly  you  are  transformed,  are  visibly  changed 
in  a  moment  \ 

You  are  no  longer  Priscilla,  but  Bertha  the  Beau- 
tiful Spinner." 

Here  the  light  foot  on  the  treadle  grew  swifter  and 
swifter ;  the  spindle 

U  ered  an  angry  snarl,  and  the  thread  snapped 
short  in  her  fingers ; 

While  the  impetuous  speaker,  not  heeding  the  mis- 
chief, continued : 

"You  are  the  beautiful  Bertha,  the  spinner,  the 
queen  of  Helvetia ; 

She  whose  story  I  read  at  a  stall  in  the  streets  of 
Southampton, 

Who,  as  she  rode  on  her  palfrey,  o'er  valley  and 
meadow  and  mountain. 


If'-- 


340     COURTSHIP   OF  MILES  STANDISH 

Ever  was  spinning  her  thread  from  a  distaff  fixed 
to  her  ^addle. 

She  was  so  thrifty  and  good,  that  her  name  passed 
into  a  proverb. 

So  shall  it  be  with  your  o\*'n,  when  the  spinning- 
wheel  shall  no  longer 

Plum  in  the  house  of  the  farmer,  and  fill  its  cham- 
bers with  music. 

Then  shall  the  mothers,  reproving,  relate  how  it 
was  in  their  childhood, 

Praising  the  good  old  times,  and  the  days  of  Pris- 
cilla  the  spinner  !  " 

Straight  uprose  from  her  wheel  the  beautiful  Puri- 
tan maiden. 

Pleased  with  the  praise  of  her  thrift  from  him 
whose  praise  was  the  sweetest, 

Drew  from  the  reel  on  the  table  a  snowy  skein  of 
her  spinning. 

Thus  making  answer,  meanwhile,  to  the  flattering 
phrases  of  Alden : 

"  Come,  you  must  not  be  idle ;  if  I  am  a  pattern 
for  housewives, 

Show  yourself  equally  worthy  of  being  the  model 
of  husbands. 

Hold  this  skein  on  your  hands,  while  I  wind  it, 
ready  for  knitting ; 

Then  who  knows  but  hereafter,  when  fashions  have 
changed  and  the  manners. 

Fathers  may  talk  to  their  sons  of  the  good  old  times 
of  John  Alden  !  " 

Thus,  with  a  jest  and  a  laugh,  the  skein  on  his 
hands  she  adjusted. 

He  sitting  awkwardly  there,  with  his  arms  ex- 
tended before  him. 


lis   arms  ex- 


COURTSIIIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH     341 

She  standing  graceful,   erect,  and    winding  the 

thread  from  his  fingers, 
Sometimes  chiding  a  little  his  clumsy  manner  of 

holding. 

Sometimes  touching  his  hands,  as  she  disentangled 

expertly 
Twist  or  knot  in  the  yam,  unawares  —  for  how 

could  she  help  it  ?  — 

Sending  electrical  thrills  through  every  nerve  in 
his  body. 

Lo!  in  the  m'dst  of    this   scene,  a  breatliless 

messenger  entered, 
Bringing  in  hurry  and  heat  the  terrible  news  from 

the  village. 
Yes ;  Miles  Standish  was  dead  !  —  an  Indian  had 

brought  them  the  tidings,  — 
Slain  by  a  poisoned  arrow,  shot  down  in  the  front 

of  the  battle. 

Into  an  ambush  beguiled,  cut  off  with  the  whole  of 
his  forces ; 

All  the  town  would  be  burned,  and  all  the  people 
be  murdered ! 

Such  were  the  tidings  of  evil  that  burst  on  the 
hearts  of  the  hearers. 

Silent  and  statue-like  stood  PrisciUa,  her  face  look- 
ing backward 

StiU  at  the  face  of  the  speaker,  her  arms  uplifted 
in  horror ; 

But  John  Alden,  upstarting,  as  if  the  barb  of  the 

arrow 
Piercing  the  heart  of  his  friend  had  struck  his  own, 

and  had  sundered 


r-. 


342     COURTSHIP   OF  MILES  STANDI SH 

Once  and  forever  the  bonds  that  held  him  bound 

as  a  captive 
Wild  with  excess  of  sensation,  the  awful  delight  of 

his  freedom, 
Mingled  with  pain  and  regret,  unconscious  of  what 

he  was  doing, 
Clasped,  almost  with  a  groan,  the  motionless  form 

of  Priscilla, 
Pressing  her  close  to  his  heart,  as  forever  his  own, 

and  exclaiming : 
"  Those  whom  the  Lord  hath  united,  let  no  man 

put  them  asunder  !  " 


Even  as  rivulets  twain,  from  distant  and  separate 

sources. 
Seeing  each  other  afar,  as  they  leap  from  the  rocks, 

and  pursuing 
Each  one  its  devious  path,  but  drawing  nearer  and 

nearer. 
Bush  together  at  last,  at  their  trysting-place  in  the 

forest ; 
So  these  lives  that  had  run  thus  far  in  separate 

channels. 
Coming  in  sight  of  each  other,  then  swerving  and 

flowing  asunder. 
Parted  by  barriers  strong,  but  drawing  nearer  and 

nearer, 
Hushed  together  at  last,  and  one  was  lost  in  the 

ether. 


COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDI SH     343 


IX. 


THE  WEDDING-DAY. 

Forth  from  the  curtain  of  clouds,  from  the  tent 
of  purple  and  scarlet, 

Issued  the  sun,  the  great  High-Priest,  in  his  gar- 
ments resplendent, 

Holiness  unto  the  Lord,  in  letters  of  light,  on  his 
forehead, 

Round  the  hem  of  his  robe  the  golden  bells  and 
pomegranates. 

Blessing  the  world  he  came,  and  the  bars  of  vapor 
beneath  him 

Gleamed  like  a  grate  of  brass,  and  the  sea  at  his 
feet  was  a  laver  I 

This  was  the  wedding  morn  of  Priscilla  the 

Puritan  maiden. 
Friends  were  assembled  together;  the  Elder  and 

Magistrate  also 
Graced  the  scene  with  their  presence,  and  stood 

like  the  Law  and  the  Gospel, 
One  with  the  sanction  of  earth  and  one  with  the 

blessing  of  heaven. 
Simple  and  brief  was  the  wedding,  as  that  of  Kuth 

and  of  Boaz. 
Softly  the  youth  and  the  maiden   repeated  the 

words  of  betrothal. 
Taking  each  other  for  husband  and  wife  in  the 

Magistrate's  presence, 
After  the  Puritan  way,  and  the  laudable  custom  of 

Holland. 


i  I  i 


i 


I? 


m% 


844      COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STAN  DISH 

Fervently  then,  and  devoutly,  the  excellent  Elder 

of  Plymouth 
Prayed  for  the  hearth  and  the  home,   that   were 

founded  that  day  in  affection. 
Speaking  of  life  and  of  death,  and  imploring  Divine 

benedictionH. 


if    • 


Lot  when  the  service   was  ended,  a  form  ap- 
peared on  the  threshold, 
Clad  in  armor  of   steel,  a  sombre  and  sorrowful 

figure ! 
Why  does  the  bridegroom  start  and  stare  at  the 

strange  apparition  ? 
Why  does  the  bride  turn  pale,  and  hide  her  face 

on  his  shoulder? 
Irf  it  a  phantom  of  air,  —  a '  odiless,  spectral  illusion  ? 
Is  it  a  ghost  from  the  grave,  that  has  come  to 

forbid  the  betrothal  ? 
Long  had  it  stood  there  unseen,  a  guest  uninvited, 

unwelcomed ; 
Over  its  clouded  eyes  there  had  passed  at  times  an 

expression 
Softening  the  gloom  and  revealing  the  warm  heart 

hidden  beneath  them, 
As  when  across  the  sky  the  driving  rack  of  the 

rain-cloud 
Grows  for  a  moment  thin,  and  betrays  the  sun  by 

its  brightness. 
Once  it  had  lifted  its  hand,  and  moved  its  lips,  but 

was  silent. 
As  if  an  iron  will  had  mastered  the  fi.-eting  inten- 
tion. 
But  when  were  ended  the  troth  and  the  prayer  and 

the  last  benediction. 


COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH     345 

Into  the  room  it  strode,  and  the  people  hehcld 
with  amazement 

Bodily  there  in  his  armor  Miles  Standish,  the 
Captain  of  Plymouth  I 

Grasping  the  bridegroom's  hand,  he  said  wi^L  emo- 
tion, "  Forgive  me ! 

I  have  been  angry  and  hurt,  —  too  long  have  I 
cherished  the  feeling ; 

I  have  been  cruel  and  hard,  but  now,  thank  God  I 
it  is  ended. 

Mine  is  the  same  hot  blood  that  leaped  in  the  veins 
of  Hugh  Standish, 

Sensitive,  swift  to  resent,  but  as  swift  in  atoning 
for  error. 

Never  so  much  as  now  was  Miles  Standish  the 
friend  of  John  Alden." 

Thereupon  answered  the  bridegroom  :  "  Let  all  be 
forgotten  between  u^,  — 

AU  save  the  dear,  old  friendship,  and  that  shall 
grow  older  and  dearer  I  " 

Then  the  Captain  advanced,  and,  bowing,  saluted 
Priscilla, 

Gravely,  and  after  the  manner  of  old-fashioned 
gentry  in  England, 

Something  of  camp  and  of  court,  of  town  and  of 
country,  commingled. 

Wishing  her  joy  of  her  wedding,  and  loudly  laud- 
ing her  husband. 

Then  he  said  with  a  smile  :  "  I  should  have  remem- 
bered the  adage,  — 

If  you  would  be  well  served,  you  must  serve  your- 
self ;  and  moreover. 

No  man  can  gather  cherries  in  Kent  at  the  season 
of  Christmas  !  '* 


346     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH 

Groat  was  the  people's  amazement,  and  greater 
yet  their  rejoicing, 

Thus  to  boliohl  once  more  the  sunburnt  face  of 
their  Captain, 

Whom  they  had  mourned  as  dead  ;  and  they  gath- 
ered  an  '  crowded  about  him. 

Eager  to  sec  him  and  hear  him,  forgetful  of  bride 
and  of  bridegroom, 

Questioning,  answering,  laughing,  and  each  inter- 
rupting the  other, 

Till  the  good  Captain  declared,  being  quite  over- 
powered and  bewildered, 

Ho  had  rather  by  far  break  into  an  Indian  en- 
campment. 

Than  come  again  to  a  wedding  to  which  he  had 
not  been  invited. 


Meanwhile  the  bridegroom  went  forth  and  stood 

with  the  bride  at  the  doorway. 
Breathing  the   perfumed   air  of  that   warm   and 

beautiful  morning. 
Touched  with  autuumal  tints,  but  lonely  and  sad 

in  the  sunshine, 
Lay  extended  before  them   the  land  of  toil  and 

privation  ; 
There  were  the  graves  of  the  dead,  and  the  barren 

waste  of  the  sea-shore, 
There  the  familiar  fields,  the  groves  of  pine,  and 

the  meadows ; 
But  to  their  eyes  transfigured,  it   seemed  as  the 

Garden  of  Eden, 
Filled  with  the  presence  ot  God,  whose  voice  was 

the  sound  of  the  ocean. 


COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDI SH     347 

Soon  waa  their  viHion  disturbed  by  the  noise  and 

stir  of  departure, 
Friends  coming  forth  from  the  house,  and  impatient 

of  h)wger  delaying. 
Each  with  his  plan  for  the  day,  and  the  work  that 

was  left  uncompleted. 
Then  from  a  stall  near  at  hand,  amid  exclamations 

of  wonder, 
Aiden  the  thoughtful,  the   careful,  so   happy,  so 

proud  of  Prijcilla, 
Brought  out  his  snow-white  bull,  obeying  the  hand 

of  its  master. 
Led  by  a  cord  that  was  tied  to  an  iron  ring  in  its 

nostrils. 
Covered  with  crimson  cloth,  and  a  cushion  placed 

for  a  saddle. 
She  should  not  walk,  he  said,  through  the  dust  and 

heat  of  the  noonday  ; 
Nay,  she  should  ride  like  a  queen,  not  plod  along 

like  a  peasant. 
Somewhat  alarmed  at  first,  but  reassured  by  the 

others, 
Flaci  .g  her  hand  on  the  cushion,  her  foot  in  the 

hand  of  her  husband, 
Gayly,    \ith  joyous  laugh,  Priscilla  mounted  her 

paifrey. 
"  Nothing  is  wanting  now,"  he  said  with  a  smile, 

"  but  the  distaff  ; 
Then  you  would  be  in  truth  my  queen,  my  beauti- 
ful Bertha  !  " 


Line  6.      Brought   out  his    snow-white  steer,  obeying   the  hand  of    its 
master, 


848     COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH 


(inward  the   bridal   procession   now  moved   to 

their  new  habitation, 
Happy  husband  and  wife,  and  friends  conversing 

together. 
Pleasantly  murmured  the  brook,  as  they  crossed 

the  ford  in  the  forest. 
Pleased  with  the  image  that  passed,  like  a  dream 

of  love  through  its  bosom. 
Tremulous,  floating  in  air,  o*er  the  depths  of  the 

azure  abysses. 
Down  through  the  golden  leaves  the  sun  was  pour- 
ing his  splendors. 
Gleaming  on  purple  grapes,  that,  from  branches 

above  them  suspended. 
Mingled  their  odorous  breath  with  the  balm  of  the 

pine  and  the  fir-tree. 
Wild  and  sweet  as  the  clusters  that  grew  in  the 

valley  of  Eschol. 
Like  a  picture  it  seemed  of  the  primitive,  pastoral 

ages. 
Fresh  with  the  youth  of  the  world,  and  recalling 

Rebecca  and  Isaac, 
Old  and  yet  ever  new,  and  simple  and  beautiful 

always. 
Love  immortal  and  young  in  the  endless  succession 

of  lovers. 
So  through  the  Plymouth  woods   passed  onward 

the  bridal  procession. 


1 


SH 
moved  to 

lonversing 

)y  crossed 

:e  a  dream 

ths  of  the 

I  was  pour- 

1  branches 

jalm  of  the 

rrew  in  the 

ve,  pastoral 

d  recalling 

Id  beautiful 

succession 

,ed  onward 


NOTES 


I.    EVANGELINE. 

Page  20.  List  to  a  Tale  of  Love  in  Acadie,  home  of  the 
happy. 

[lu  the  earliest  reconfa  Acadie  is  called  Cadie;  afterwards 
it  was  called  Arcadia,  Accadia,  or  L'Acadiu.  The  iiuine  is 
probably  a  French  adaptation  of  a  word  common  among  the 
Micmac  Indians,  signifying  place  or  region,  and  used  us  an 
af)lx  to  other  word.<>  to  indicate  the  place  where  various 
things,  such  as  cranberries,  eels,  seals,  were  found  in  abun- 
dance. The  French  turned  this  Indian  term  into  Cadie  or 
Acadie ;  the  English  into  Quoddy,  in  which  form  it  remains 
when  applied  to  the  Quoddy  Indians,  to  Quoddy  Head,  the 
last  point  of  the  United  States  next  to  Acadia,  and  in  the 
compound  Fassamaquoddy,  or  Pollock-Ground.] 

Page  27.  Lucky  was  he  who  found  that  stone  in  the  nest  of 
the  swallow. 

"  If  the  eyes  of  one  of  the  young  of  a  swallow  be  put  out, 
the  mother  bird  will  bring  from  the  sea-shore  a  little  stone, 
which  will  immediately  restore  its  sight;  fortunate  is  the 
person  who  finds  this  little  stone  in  the  nest,  for  it  is  a  mi- 
raculous remedy."  Pluquet,  Contes  Populaires,  quoted  by 
Wright,  Literature  and  Supcrst'tions  of  England  in  the  Mid- 
dle Ages,  1. 128. 

Page  28.     "  Sunshine  of  Saint  Eulalie  "  was  she  called. 

8i  le  Holeil  rit  le  jour  Sainte-Eulalie 
n  y  aura  ponuues  et  cidre  &  folie." 

Pi,c<)nBT  in  WsioHT,  1. 131. 

Page  29.  Flashed  like  a  plane-tree  the  Persian  adorned  with 
mantles  and  jewels. 

See  Evelyn's  Silva,  II.  53.  [Tl  ^  story  runs  back  to  He- 
rodotus, VII.  31,  the  "  Persian  "  being  Xerxes.] 


A    . 


i 


360 


NOTES 


'I 


?i 


t"' 

T  ^ 


Page  36.    For  he  told  them  tales. 

[The  stories  of  the  Loup-garou,  or  were-wolf,  and  the  Le- 
tiche,  apf  ■  the  miraculous  properties  of  spiders,  clover,  and 
horseshoe^.^  may  be  found  in  Plu'^uet,  Contea  Populaires, 
who  conjectures  that  the  \^  hit*?,  fleet  ermine  fox  gave  rise  to 
the  story  of  the  Lc'tiche.^ 

Page  37.     Well  J  remember  a  story. 

[This  is  an  old  Florentine  story ;  in  an  altered  form  it  is 
the  theme  of  Rossini's  opera  of  La  Gazza  Ladra.'] 

Page  41.  Tous  les  Bourgeois  de  Chartres  and  Le  Carillon 
de  Dunkerrue. 

[In  Mr.  Longfellow's  diary  under  date  of  April  29,  1846: 
"  Looked  over  the  Receuil  de  Cantiques  a  Vusage  des  Mes- 
sionSf  etc.  Quebec,  1833.  A  curious  book,  in  which  the 
most  ardent  spiritual  canticles  are  sung  to  common  airs  and 
dancing  tunes.  For  instance,  —  La  Mort  du  Juste:  sur 
Voir,  *  On  dit  que  vos  parents  sont  autant  de  centaures.*  Pieux 
sentiments  envers  Je<^us  Christ ;  sur  Voir,  '  Des  Folies  d'Es-' 
pagne.*  Other  airs  are  Le  Carillon  de  Dunquerque ;  Char- 
mante  Gahrielle  ;  Tous  les  Bourgeois  de  Chartres."  This  last 
was  a  song  written  by  Ducauroi,  maitre  de  chapelle  of  Henri 
IV.,  the  words  of  which  are:  — 

Vous  coimaiflsez  Cybile, 
<}ui  BUC  fixer  le  Tempa ; 
On  la  diaait  fort  belle, 
Mdme  dana  aes  vieux  ana. 

CH0BU8. 

Cette  divinity,  qiioique  dej&  grand  'm^re, 
Avait  les  yeiix  doux,  le  teint  fraia 
Avait  mSme  certoina  attraita 
Fermea  comme  la  Terre. 

Le  Carillon  de  Dunquerque  was  a  popular  song  sung  to  a 
tune  played  on  the  Dunkirk  chimes.     The  words  are 

Imprudent,  tem^raire 
A  riustont,  jo  I'eap^re 
Dana  uiou  juste  courroux, 
Tu  vaa  tomber  aous  mea  coupa ! 

—  Je  brave  ta  menace 

—  £tre  moi !  quelle  audace  I 
Avance  done,  poltron  I 


NOTES 


351 


{uresJ*    Pieux 


)elle  of  Henri 


Tu  trembles  7  non,  non,  non 

—  J  'tHouife  de  colt-re ! 

—  Jo  ria  de  la  colore. 

The  music  to  \s  hich  the  old  man  sang  these  songs  may  be 
found  in  La  Cle  du  Caveau,  by  Pierre  Capelle,  Nos.  564  and 
739.     Paris:  A.  CoteUe.] 

Page  63.  Thou  art  too  fair  to  be  left  to  braid  St.  Cather- 
ine's tresses. 

There  is  a  Norman  saying  of  a  maid  who  does  not  marry 
—  Elle  restera  pour  coiffer  Sainte  Katherine. 

Page  66.  On  the  Acadian  coasts  and  the  prairies  of  fair 
Opelousas. 

[Between  the  Ist  of  January  and  the  13th  of  May,  1765, 
about  six  hundred  and  fifty  Acadians  had  arrived  at  New 
Orleans.  The  existence  of  a  French  population  there  at- 
tracted the  exiles,  and  they  were  sent  by  the  authorities  to 
form  settlements  in  Attakapas  and  Opelousas.  They  after- 
ward established  themselves  on  both  sides  of  the  Mississippi 
from  the  German  Coast  to  Baton  Rouge  and  even  as  high 
as  Pointe  Coupde.  Hence  the  name  of  Acadian  Coast,  which 
a  portion  of  the  banks  of  the  river  still  bears.  See  Gayarrc's 
History  of  Louisiana,  the  French  Dominion,  vol.  II.] 

Page  100.  Presaged  by  wondrous  signs,  and  mostly  by  flocks 
of  mid  pigeons. 

["Among  the  country  people,  large  quantities  of  wild 
pigeons  in  the  spring  are  regarded  as  certain  indications  of 
an  unhealthy  summer.  Whether  or  not  this  prognostication 
has  ever  been  verified,  I  cannot  tell.  But  it  is  very  certain 
that  during  the  last  spring  the  number  of  those  birds 
brought  to  market  was  immense.  Never,  pcrliaps,  were 
there  so  many  before."  A  Memoir  of  the  Yellow  Fever  in 
Philadelphia  in  1793.  By  Matthew  Carey.  Philadelphia, 
1793.] 

II.    THE  SONG  OF  HIAWATHA. 

The  Song  of  Hiawatha.  This  ludiaii  Edda  —  if  I  may 
so  call  it  —  is  founded  on  a  tradition,  prevalent  among  the 
North  American  Indians,  of  a  pciisonage  of  miraculous  birth, 
who  was  sent  among  them  to  clear  their  rivers,  forests,  and 


352 


NOTES 


fishiiig-groiinds,  and  to  teach  them  the  arts  of  peace.  He 
was  known  among  diiferent  tribes  by  the  several  names  of 
Michabou,  Chiabo,  Manabozo,  Tare nya- wagon,  and  Hiawa< 
tha.  Mr.  Schoolcraft  gives  an  account  of  him  in  his  Algic 
Researches,  vol.  I.  p.  134  ;  and  in  his  History,  Condition,  and 
Prospects  of  the  Indian  Tribes  of  the  United  States,  Part  III. 
p.  314,  may  be  found  the  Iroquois  form  of  the  tradition, 
derived  from  the  verbal  narrations  of  an  Onondaga  chief. 

Into  this  old  tradition  I  have  woven  other  curious  Indian 
legends,  drawn  chiefly  from  the  various  and  valuabla  writ- 
ings of  Mr.  Schoolcraft,  to  whom  the  literary  world  is 
greatly  indebted  for  his  indefatigable  zeal  in  rescuing  from 
oblivion  so  much  of  the  legendary  lore  of  the  Indians. 

The  scene  of  the  poem  is  among  the  O  jib  ways  on  the 
southern  shore  of  Lake  Superior,  in  the  region  between  the 
Pictured  Kocks  and  the  Grand  Sable. 


VOCABULARY. 

Adjidau'mo,  the  red  squirrel. 

Ahdeek',  the  reindeer. 

Ahkose'win,  /ever. 

Ahmeek',  the  heaver. 

Algon'quin,  Ojibway. 

Annemee'kee,  the  thunder. 

Apuk'wa,  a  bulrush. 

Baiin-wa'wa,  the  sound  of  the  thunder. 

Bemah'eut,  the  grapevine. 

Be'iia,  the  pheasant. 

BiR-Sea- Water,  Lake  Superior, 

Bukada  Mn,  famine. 

Clieemaun',  a  birch  canoe. 

Chetowaik',  the  plover. 

Chibin'bos,  a  mimician  ;  friend  of  Hiawatha ;  ruler  in  the  Land  of  Spirits. 

Dahin'da,  the  buH-fnuj. 

Dush-kwo-ue'she,  or  Kwo-ne'ahe,  the  dragon-fly. 

Esa,  shame  upon  you. 

Ewa-yea',  lullaby. 

Ohee'cis,  /Ac  sun. 

Oitche  Ou'me,  the  Big- Sea- Water,  Lake  Superior, 

Oitclie  Man'ito,  the  Great  Spirit,  the  Master  of  Life, 

Ouslikewau',  tlie  darkness. 

Hiawatha,  the  Wise  Man,  the  Teacher ;  son  of  Mudjekeewis,  the  West- Wind. 

and  Wenonah,  d-iuijhter  of  ffokomis. 
\n'goo,  a  great  boaster  and  story-teller. 
luin'cwuK,  men,  or  pawns  in  the  Game  of  the  Bowl, 
Ishkoodali',  flre  ;  a  comet. 
Jee'bi,  a  ghost,  a  spirit. 
Joaa'akeed,  a  prophet. 


VJ 


NOTES 


858 


md  (nf  Spirits. 


L,  the  Wett-Wind. 


Kabihonoklca,  the  North-  Wind. 
Kagh,  the  hedgehog. 
Ka'Ko,  do  not. 
KahKohgee',  the  raven, 
Kaw,  no. 

Kaween',  no  indeed. 
Kayoshk',  the  sea-gull. 
Kee'BO,  a  fish. 

Keeway'din,  the  yorthice%t-  Wind,  the  Home-  Wind. 
Kena'beek,  a  serpent. 
Keneu',  the  great  war-eagle. 
Keuo'zha,  the  pickerel. 
Ko'ko-ko'ho,  the  oirl. 
Kuiita800',  the  Game  of  Plum-stones. 
Kwa'sind,  the  ,'?lroiig  M<in. 
Kwo-ne'she,  or  Duah-kwo-iie'ahe,  the  dragon-fly. 
Mahnabbe'zee,  the  S'can. 
Mating,  the  loon. 

Mahn-go-tay'aee,  loon-heartel  brave. 
Mahnoiuo'uee,  tcild  rice. 
Ma'ma,  the  woodpecker. 
Haakeno'zha,  the  pike. 
He'da,  a  vtedicine-man. 
Meenah'ga,  the  blneberr;/. 

Megissog'won,  the  great  Pearl-Feather,  a  magician  and  the  Manito  of  Wealth. 
Mesliiuau'wa,  </  hipe-bearer. 
Minjekah'wun,  .'iaieathn\s  mittens. 

Hinneha'ha,  Laug.ing  Water;  a  icater/all  on  a  stream  running  into  the  Mis- 
sissippi, betireen  P'^-t  .Snrlting  and  tlie  Falls  of  St,  Anthony, 
Miiineha'ha,  Laughing  Water ;  wife  of  Hiawatha. 
Minne-wa'wa,  «  pleasant  sound,  as  of  the  wind  in  the  trees. 
Mishe-MCkwa,  the  Oreat  Bear. 
Mishe-Nah'ma,  the  Oreat  Sturgeon. 
Miskodeed',  the  Spring  Beauty,  the  Claytonia  Virginica. 
Honda'min,  Indian  Com. 
Moon  of  Bright  Niglits,  April. 
Moon  of  Leaves,  May. 
Moon  of  Strawberries,  June. 
Moon  of  the  Falliiig  Leaves,  September. 
Moon  of  Snow-Shoes,  November. 
Mudjckee'wis,  the  West- Wind ;  father  of  Hiawatha. 
Mudway-aush'ka,  sound  of  waves  on  a  shore. 
Mus)ikoda'sa,  the  grouse. 

Na'gow  Wudj'oo,  the  Sand  Dunes  of  Lake  Superior. 
Nah'ma,  the  sturgeon. 
Nah'ma-wusk,  spearmint. 
Nee-ba-naw'balg8,  irn/rr  spirits. 
Nenerooo'sha,  sn-eetluart. 
Nepah'win,  sleep. 

Noko'mis,  .grandmother;  vwtht^r of  Wenonah. 
No'sa,  viy  father, 
Nush'ka,  look  !  look  ! 
Odah'tnin,  the  strawberry. 
Okalinh'wis,  the  fresh-water  herring. 
Ome'inee,  the  pigeon. 
Ona'gcn,  a  hotel. 
Oiiav  ay',  awake. 


354 


NOTES 


^- 


Opc'ohee,  (he  rohin- 

Osmt'o,  Hon  a/  the  Evening  Star, 

Owaw'sn,  the  dl'uliird, 

Oweenee',  iriff  nf  Ox. ten. 

0?.aw:iiMM'k,  <i  rmittil  /lieee  of  ln-firs  or  copper  in  the  Game  of  the  Botel. 

I'ali-inik-ki'«'im,  the  ijrasthopptr. 

I'au'K'ik.  'li'ilh. 

J'liu-l'uk-Kee'wis,  (he  haml.iomi'  ^enadiize,  the  Storm-Fool. 

Paiiwa'tiiiKi  -SdiiK  SiiiiKi'  Martc. 

Pii'boaii,  Winter. 

IVmican.  inent  of  the  deer  or  Oiijf'alo  dried  and  poutidci. 

I'ezlieekoe',  the  bifoii. 

Piahiickiih',  (he  tiraii(. 

PoiKt'inah,  In  n  lifter. 

PuRUhaiiiK',  O'ime  if  the  Roirh 

PiiKKawau'giin,  a  war-club. 

Puk-Winlj'if8,  little  wild  men  of  the  troods ;  pygmiet. 

Sali-pali-jc  Willi,  mpids. 

Sali'wa,  the  //<  reh. 

SPB^v\in',  .V/'/'ih;/. 

8lia'<la,  the  priiiiin. 

Slialibo'niin,  thr  (jonxeherr;/. 

Bhah-shah,  loii',i  aiio. 

BliauKoila'ya,  a  row.inl. 

SliawKa.sliee',  thr  craw-Ji.ih, 

Sliawonda'sce,  the  South  -  Wind. 

Slmw-Hhaw,  the  swnllow, 

Sliesh'ubwiiB,  dtiek.i  ;  pieces  in  the  Oame  of  the  Bowl. 

Shin'gebis,  the  direr  or  grebe. 

Sliuwaijk'  iieiiiu'Hliiu,  jdty  me. 

Sliuh-slmh'Bali,  the  blue  heron. 

Soan-ge-ta'lia,  strong  hearted. 

Subbeka'Hhe,  the  spider. 

SuRRe'iuo,  the  mos(iuito. 

To'tam,  f a  mil  n  coat  of  arms. 

Vah,  lies. 

UuuJwasIi',  the  sun-fish. 

Unktalice'.  the  dud  of  Water. 

Waba»'KO,  !he  rabbit ;  the  Xorth. 

Wabf'iio,  I  mn'jirian,  a  juggler. 

Wabc'iio-'fUKk,  >i arrow. 

Wa-buii,  //((■  East  -  Wiiiil. 

Wa'buii  Aii'iiuiiK,  tlo  .Star  of  (he  Eas(,  the  Morning  Star. 

Walior.o'wiii,  a  rri/  of  lameulaiion, 

Wab-v.-ali-tay'sce,  thefre-jlij. 

Waiii'i'ii'"-  '"''"'•'>'  of  shell. 

Wanbf-'.vy'on, '/  while  skin  wrapper. 

Wa'wa.  the  Willi  goose. 

Waw'boi'k,  a  yoek. 

Waw-bf-\v!i  ;va,  'he  white  goose. 

WawDiiai  '.«,  thi  whii>iH>orwill. 

Way-iiiuk-kwa  n,i,  the  caterpillar. 

Wi'ii'iliuooH,  giaii'.<. 

Wfiio'nali,  /liairihh  I's  mother,  daughter  of  XokoTiis, 

Yeiiadi/  7,c,  on  idiir  and  gambler ;  an  Iw'  uii  dinu!:,', 

["  Suddenly  aud  iiiuiieus'lj  popular  in  this  country,  greatly 


a 


t( 

P 
w 
n 


■Hi 


J^OTKS 


355 


ioiel. 


itry,  greatly 


a<lmiro(l  by  many  foroiprn  critics,  imitated  with  perfect  case 
by  any  clover  school-boy,  serving  as  a  model  tor  metiical 
advertisements,  made  fun  of,  sneered  at,  abused,  admired, 
but,  at  any  rate,  a  picture  full  of  ploasinjj  fancies  and  melo- 
dious ca  len(!es.  The  very  names  are  jewels  which  the  most 
fastidious  muse  might  be  proud  to  wear.  Coming  from  the 
realm  ot  the  Androicoggin  and  of  Aloosetukmaguntuk,  how 
could  he  have  found  two  such  delicious  nanu^s  as  Hiawatha 
and  Minnehaha  ?  The  eight-syllable  trochaic  verse  of  Ilia- 
watha,  Viko  the  eight-syllable  iambic  verse  of  7'Af  Lnibinfthi; 
Lake,  and  others  of  Scott's  poems,  has  a  fatal  facility,  which 
I  have  elsewhere  endeavored  to  explain  on  physiological 
principles.  The  recital  of  each  line  uses  up  the  air  of  one 
natural  expiration,  so  that  we  read,  a.s  we  naturally  do, 
eighteen  or  twenty  lines  in  a  minute,  without  disturbing  the 
normal  rhythm  of  breathing,  which  is  also  eighteen  or  twenty 
bre.atbs  to  the  minute.  The  standing  objection  to  this  is, 
that  it  makes  the  octo-syllabic  verse  too  easy  writing  and  too 
slipshod  reading.  Yet  in  this  most  frequently  criticised 
composition  the  poet  has  shown  a  sid)tle  sense  of  the  require- 
ments of  his  simple  story  of  a  primitive  race,  in  choossing  the 
most  fluid  of  mcastires,  that  lets  the  thought  nm  th'.ough  it 
in  easy  sing-song,  such  as  oral  tradition  would  be  suve  to  find 
on  the  lips  of  the  story-tellers  of  the  wigwam."  —  Oliver 
Wendell  Holmes:  Remarks  at  meeting  of  Massachusetts  His- 
torical Societif,  April  13,  1882.] 

Page  114.     In  the  V^ale  of  Taicasentha. 

This  vai'^y,  now  called  Norman's  Kill,  is  in  Albany 
County,  New  \ork 

x'age  116.     On  the  Mountains  of  the  Prairie. 

Mr.  Catlin,  in  his  Letters  and  Notes  on  the  Manners,  Cus- 
toms, anil  Condition  of  the  North  American  Indians,  vol.  II.  j). 
100,  gives  an  interesting  account  of  'die  Coteau  des  Prairies, 
and  the  Red  Pipestone  C^uarry.     He  says  :  — 

"  Here  (according  to  their  traditions)  happened  the  mys- 
terious birth  of  the  red  pipe,  which  has  blown  its  fumes  of 
peace  and  war  to  the  remotest  corners  of  the  continent  ; 
which  has  visited  every  warrioi",  and  j)assed  through  its 
reddened  stem  the  irrevocable  oath  of  war  a;  id  desolation. 


366 


NOTES 


^■'^.. 


And  here,  also,  the  peace-breathing  calumet  was  born,  and 
fringed  with  the  eagle's  quills,  which  has  shed  its  thrilling 
funics  over  the  land,  and  soothed  the  fury  of  the  relentless 
savage. 

"  The  (jreat  Spirit  at  an  ancient  period  h  re  called  the 
Indian  nations  together,  and,  standing  on  the  precipice  of 
the  red  pipe-stone  rock,  broke  from  its  wall  a  piece,  and 
n)ade  a  huge  pipe  by  turning  it  in  his  hand,  which  he  smoked 
over  them,  and  to  the  North,  the  South,  the  East,  and  the 
West,  and  told  tl"^ni  that  this  stone  Wiis  red,  —  that  it  was 
their  Hesh,  —  that  tliey  umst  use  it  for  their  pipes  of  peace, 
—  that  it  belonged  to  thcni  all,  and  that  the  war-club  and 
scalpiiig-^'iife  nuist  not  be  raised  on  its  ground.  At  the 
last  whiff  of  his  [)ipe  his  hc;id  went  into  a  groat  cloud,  and 
the  whole  surface  of  tlie  rock  for  sevend  miles  was  melted 
and  glazed  ;  two  great  ovens  were  opened  beneath,  and  two 
women  (guardian  spirits  of  the  place)  entered  them  in  a 
blaze  of  lire;  and  they  are  hciird  there  yet  (Tso-mec-cos-tee 
and  Tso-me-cos-te-won-dee),  answering  to  the  invocations  of 
the  high-priests  or  medicine-men,  who  considt  them  when 
they  are  visitors  to  this  sacred  place." 

Page  123.    Hark  you,  Bear  !  you  are  a  cotcard. 

This  anecdote  is  from  Heckewelder.  In  his  account  of 
the  Indian  Nations,  he  describes  an  Indian  hunter  as  ad- 
dressing a  V)ear  in  nearly  these  words.  "  I  was  present,"  he 
says,  "iit  the  delivery  of  this  curious  invective  ;  when  the 
iumter  had  despatched  the  bear,  I  asked  him  how  he  tlunight 
that  poor  animal  could  understand  what  he  said  to  it.  '  Oh,' 
said  he  in  answer,  '  the  bear  understood  me  very  well ;  did 
you  not  observe  how  anhamed  he  looked  while  I  was  up- 
braiding him  ? '  "  —  Transactions  of  the  Atnerican  Philosophi- 
cal Society,  vol.  I,  p.  240. 

Page  I'.iS.     Hush  !  the  Naked  Rear  will  hear  thee  ! 

Heckewelder,  in  a  letter  published  in  the  Transactions  of 
the  American  Philosophical  Society,  vol.  IV.  p.  260,  speaks  of 
this  tradition  as  prevalent  among  the  Mohicans  and  Dela- 
wares. 

"Their  reports,"  he  says,  "run  thus:  that  among  all  ani- 
mals that  had  bet;:  formerly  in  this  country,  this  was  the 


NOTES 


357 


orn,  and 
thrilling 
elentlcss 

lUed  the 
uipice  of 
(iece,  and 
ic  smoked 
,  and  the 
bat  it  vra8 
I  of  peace, 
•-club  and 
u     At  the 
cloud,  and 
fjis  melted 
h,  and  two 
them  in  a 
iuec-co8-tee 
rocations  of 
them  when 


I  account  of 
inter  as  ad- 
preseut,"  he 
when  the 
he  thought 
oit.    'Oh,' 
y  well ;  did 
I  was  up- 
Philosophi- 

iee! 
usactions  of 

K),  speaks  of 

IS  and  Dela- 

(long  all  ani- 
this  was  the 


roost  ferocious  ;  that  it  was  much  larger  than  the  largest 
of  the  common  boars,  and  renmrkaltly  long-bodied  ;  all 
over  (except  a  spot  of  hair  on  its  back  of  a  white  color) 
naked.  .  .  . 

•'  The  history  of  this  animal  used  to  be  a  subject  of  con- 
versation among  the  Indians,  especially  when  in  the  woods  a 
hunting.  I  have  also  heard  them  say  to  their  children  when 
crying:  *  Hush  !  the  naked  bear  will  hear  you,  be  upon  you, 
and  devour  you.'  " 

Page  140.      IV here  the  Falls  of  Minnehaha,  etc. 

"  The  scenery  about  Fort  Snelling  is  rich  in  beauty.  The 
Falls  of  St.  Anthony  are  familiar  to  travellers,  and  to  read- 
ers of  Indian  sketches.  Hetween  tlio  fort  and  tliosc  falls  are 
the  *  Little  Falls,'  forty  feet  in  height,  on  a  stream  that 
empties  into  the  Mississippi.  The  Indians  called  them  Mine- 
hah-hah,  or  'laughing  waters.'"  —  Mrs.  Eastman's  Dacotah, 
or  Legends  of  the  Sioux,  Intro<l.  p.  ii. 

Page  196.     Sand  Hills  of  the  Xaffoio  Wudjoo. 

A  description  ot  the  Grand  Sable,  or  great  sand-dunes  of 
Lake  Superior,  is'  given  in  Foster  and  Whitney's  Report  on 
the  Geology  of  the  Lake  Superior  Land  District,  Part  II.  p. 
131. 

"The  Grand  Sable  possesses  a  scenic  interest  little  inferior 
to  that  of  the  Pictured  Rocks.  The  explorer  passes  abruptly 
from  a  coast  of  consolidated  sand  to  one  of  loose  materials; 
and  although  in  the  one  case  the  cliffs  are  less  precipitous, 
yet  in  the  other  they  attain  a  higher  altitude.  He  sees  be- 
fore him  a  long  reach  of  coast,  resembling  a  vast  sand-bank, 
more  than  three  hundred  and  fifty  feet  in  height,  without  a 
trat!e  of  vegetation.  Ascending  to  the  top,  rounded  hil- 
locks of  blown  sand  are  observed,  with  occasional  clumps  of 
trees,  standing  out  like  oases  in  the  desert." 

Page  106.     Onaway  !    Awake,  heloved  ! 

The  original  of  this  .song  may  be  found  in  Littell's  Living 
Age,  vol.  XXV.  p.  45. 

Page  *J00.      Or  the  Red  Swan  floating,  flying. 

The  fanciful  tradition  of  the  Red  Swan  may  be  found  in 
Schoolcraft's  Algic  Researches,  vol.  II.  j).  0.  Three  brothers 
were  hunting  on  a  wager  to  sec  who  would  bring  home  the 
first  game. 


358 


NOTES 


m 


"  They  were  to  isLoot  no  other  animal,"  so  the  legend 
says,  "  but  such  as  each  was  in  the  habit  of  killing.  Thi-y 
sc^  out  *litferent  ways;  Odjibwa,  the  youngest,  had  not  gone 
far  Ijot'oro  he  saw  a  bear,  an  animal  he  was  not  to  kill,  by 
the  agreement.  He  followed  him  close,  and  drove  an  arrow 
througli  him,  which  brought  him  to  the  ground.  Although 
contrary  to  the  bet,  he  immediately  commenced  skinning 
him,  when  suddenly  something  red  tinged  all  the  .air  around 
him.  He  nibbed  his  eyes,  thinking'  he  was  perhaps  de- 
ceived ;  but  without  effect,  for  the  red  hue  continued.  At 
length  he  heard  a  strange  noise  at  a  distance.  It  first  a,\>- 
peared  like  a  human  voice,  but  afte:  foi'owing  the  sound  for 
f-'  -e  distance,  he  reached  sir  ,  >f  ».  lake,  and  soon  sa  v 
the  object  he  was  It  ..king  l  .^■      «iiiita.'ice  out  in  the  lake 

sat  a  most  beautiful  lied  -^war:,  wI;o«.h  plumage  glittered  in 
the  sun,  and  who  would  now  ai  :  thou  <kc  the  same  noise 
ho  had  heard.  He  was  within  long  buw-^'iot,  and,  pulling 
the  arrow  from  the  bowstring  up  to  his  ear,  took  deliberate 
aim  and  shot.  The  arrow  took  no  effect;  and  he  shot  and 
shot  again  till  his  <|uiver  was  empty.  Still  the  swan  remained, 
moving  round  and  round,  stretching  its  long  neck  and  dip- 
ping its  bill  into  the  water,  as  if  heedless  of  the  arrows  shot 
at  it.  Odjibwa  ran  home  and  got  all  his  own  and  his  broth- 
ers' arrows,  and  shot  them  all  away.  He  then  stood  and 
gazed  at  the  beautiful  bird.  While  standing,  he  remembered 
his  brothers*  saying  that  in  their  deceased  father's  medicine- 
sack  were  three  magic  arrows.  Off  he  started,  his  anxiety 
to  kill  the  swan  overcoming  all  scruples.  At  any  other  time 
he  would  have  deemed  it  sacrilege  to  open  his  father's  modi- 
oine-sack  ;  but  now  he  hastily  seized  the  three  arrows  and 
ran  back,  leaving  the  other  contents  of  the  sack  scattered 
ever  the  lodge.  The  swan  was  still  there.  He  shot  the  first 
arrow  with  great  precision,  and  came  very  near  to  it.  The 
second  came  still  closer  ;  as  he  took  the  last  arrow,  he  felt 
his  arm  firmer,  and,  drawing  it  up  with  vigor,  saw  it  pass 
through  the  neck  of  the  swan  a  little  above  the  breast.  Still 
it  did  not  prevent  the  bird  from  flying  off,  which  it  did,  how- 
ever, at  first  slowly,  flapping  its  wings  and  rising  gradually 
into  the  air,  and  then  Hying  off  toward  the  sinking  of  the 
Sim."  — Pages  10-12. 


NOTES 


359 


ic  legend 
•g.  Th.y 
I  not  gone 
;o  kill,  by 
•  an  arrow 

Althongh 
1  skinning 
air  around 
L'rhaps  de- 
nned.    At 
Lt  tirst  ai)- 
B  sound  for 
ic'  soon  sa  v 
in  the  lake 
glittered  in 
same  noise 
vnd,  pulling 
t  deliberate 
le  shot  and 
m  remained, 
ick  and  dip- 
I  arrows  shot 
[id  his  broth- 
stood  and 
remembered 

s  medieine- 

his  anxiety 
y  other  time 
ither's  modi- 

•vrrows  and 
c  scattered 

ihot  the  first 
to  it.     The 

rrow,  he  felt 
saw  it  pass 

breast.  Still 
it  did,  how- 
ig  gradually 

nking  of  the 


siK,'fial  gift  fr  in 
quins,  who  call  W 
bi'rry,  have  a  pre:  > 


Pne:©  210.      Whfn  I  ihiuk  of  my  heloved. 

The  original  of  this  song  may  bo  found  in  Oncd'a,  p.  15. 

Page  'Jll.     Siitg  the  mysteries  of  Mondamin. 

The  Indians  hold  the  maize,  or  Indian  corn,  in  great  ven- 
eration. "  They  r  teem  it  so  important  and  ilivine  a  grain," 
says  Schoolcraft,  '  !iat  their  s<^'jry  tellers  in .  entcd  various 
tales,  in  which  th.  idem  is  symbol,  zfl  under  the  form  of  a 
lie  Great  Snirit.  The  Odjibwa-AW  ,u- 
.on-f'" -min,  that  is,  this  Spirit's  grain  or 
sto  y  of  the  kind,  m  which  Uie  stalk  in 
full  ta^•8el  is  rep-  vseuted  as  dcsccndii'  from  the  sky,  imder 
iLe  guide  of  a  handsome  }(juth,  in  answ(!r  t<>  the  prayers  of  a 
young  man  at  his  fast  of  virility,  or  coming  to  manhood. 

"  It  is  well  known  that  corn-planting  ivnd  corn-gathering, 
at  least  among  r.ll  the  still  nncolonized  tril)e8,  arc  left  en- 
tirely to  t^'e  females  and  children,  and  a  few  superannuated 
old  men.  It  is  not  generally  known,  perhaps,  that  this  labor 
is  not  compulsory,  and  that  it  is  assumed  by  the  females  as 
a  just  eipiivalent,  in  ^heir  view,  for  the  onerous  and  continu- 
ous labor  of  the  other  sex,  in  providing  meats,  and  skins  for 
clothing,  by  the  chase,  and  in  defending  their  villages  af^ainst 
their  enemic^,  .»id  keeping  intruders  off  their  territories.  A 
good  Indian  hor  ewife  deems  this  a  part  of  her  prerogative, 
and  prides  herself  to  have  a  store  of  corn  to  exercise  her 
hospitality,  or  duly  honor  her  husband's  hospitality  in  the 
entertainment  of  the  lodge  guests."  —  Onevta,  p.  82. 

Page  213.     Thus  the  fields  ahalt  he  more  fruitful. 

"  A  singular  proof  of  this  belief,  in  both  sexes,  of  the  mys- 
terious influence  of  the  steps  of  a  woman  on  the  vegetable 
and  insect  creation,  is  found  in  an  ancient  custom,  which  was 
related  to  me,  respecting  corn-planting.  It  was  the  practice 
of  the  hunter's  wife,  when  the  Held  of  corn  had  been  planted, 
to  choose  the  first  dark  or  overclouded  evening  to  perform  a 
secret  circuit,  sans  hahillement,  around  the  field.  For  this 
purpose  she  slipped  out  of  the  lodge  in  the  evening,  unob- 
served, to  some  obscure  nook,  where  she  completely  disrobed. 
Then,  taking  her  matchecota,  or  principal  garment,  in  one 
hand,  she  dragged  it  around  the  field.  This  was  thought  to 
insure  a  prolific  crop,  and  to  prevent  the  assaults  of  insects 


860 


NOTES 


and  worniH  upon  tho  f^rain.     It  was  fluppoflod  tlicy  could  not 
cnu'p  over  the  cliai'Mied  line."  —  Onentn,  p.  83. 

I*aj;<;  *J1(5.      With  hLi  privmer-slring  he.  hound  him. 

"Tlieso  cordH,"  Hays  Mr.  Tannur,  **  aro  made  of  tho  hark 
of  the  ulm-tree,  hy  hoiliug  and  then  iinniurHinf^  it  in  eol'!. 
water.  .  .  .  The  leader  of  a  war  party  commonly  carries 
seviw-iil  fa.stened  about  his  waist,  and  if,  in  the  course  of  tho 
i\\!;\xi,  any  one  of  his  youuf;  men  takes  a  iirisoner,  it  is  his 
duty  to  hrin^  him  imnu'diatfly  to  the  chief,  to  he  tied,  and 
the  latter  is  responsible  for  his  safe  keeping."  —  Narrative 
of  Captivity  and  Adventures,  p.  412. 

Tagc  'J  18. 

Wmjemiii,  the  thief  of  rnrnfidda, 
Paimomiil ,  who  .ttenls  the  maize-ear. 

"  If  one  of  tho  young  female  buskers  finds  a  red  car  of 
corn,  it  is  typical  of  a  brave  admirer,  and  is  regarded  as  a 
fitting  present  to  some  young  warrior,  liut  if  tho  ear  be 
crooked f  and  tapering  to  a  point,  no  matter  what  color,  the 
whole  circle  is  set  in  a  roar,  and  wa-ge-min  is  the  word 
shouted  aloud.  It  is  the  symbol  of  a  thief  in  tho  cornfield. 
It  is  considered  as  the  image  of  an  old  man  stooping  as  he 
enters  the  lot.  Had  the  chisel  of  Praxiteles  been  employed 
to  produce  this  image,  it  could  not  more  vividly  bring  to  tho 
minds  of  the  merry  group  the  idea  of  a  pilferer  of  their 
favorite  monddmin.  .  .  . 

"  The  literal  meaning  of  the  term  is,  a  mass,  or  crooked 
car  of  grain  ;  but  the  ear  of  corn  so  called  is  a  conventional 
type  of  a  little  old  man  pilfering  ears  of  corn  in  a  cornfield. 
It  is  in  this  manner  that  a  single  word  or  term,  in  these 
curious  languages,  becomes  the  fruitful  parent  of  many 
ideas.  And  we  can  thus  perceive  why  it  is  that  the  word 
warjemin  is  alone  conjpetent  to  excite  merriment  in  the  husk- 
ing circle. 

"  This  term  is  taken  as  a  basis  of  the  cereal  chorus,  or 
corn  song,  as  sung  by  the  Northern  Algonquin  tribes.  It  is 
coupled  with  the  phrase  Paimosaid, — a  permutative  form 
of  the  Indian  substantive,  niade  from  the  verb  pim-o-sa,  to 
walk.  Its  literal  meaning  is,  he  who  walks,  or  the  walker ; 
but  the  ideas  conveyed  by  it  are,  he  who  walks  by  night  to 


NOTES 


861 


ould  not 


tho  bark 
it  in  col*'^ 
ly  carrit'H 
rse  of  tho 
,  it  is  his 
s  tied,  ami 
.  Narrative 


red  car  of 
;iirdc(l  as  a 
tho  ear  bo 
t  color,  tho 
s  tho  word 
le  cornfield, 
oping  as  h- 
n  employed 
bring  to  tho 
rer  of  their 

],  or  crooked 
ionventional 
a  cornfield, 
■m,  in  these 
it  of  muny 
at  the  word 
lin  the  husk- 

Ll  chorus,  or 
Iribes.  It  is 
Itative  form 

pim-o-sa,  to 
I  the  walker; 

by  night  to 


pilfer  corn.     It  offers,  therefore,  a  kind  of  parnllelisnt  in 
expression  to  tho  preceding  term."  —  Oneilta,  p.  254. 

Pagt!  "SXi.     I'ugasainff,  irith  thirteen  pii  cea. 

This  (fumo  of  tho  bowl  is  tho  prinuipid  game  of  hazard 
among  the  Northern  tribes  of  Indiana.  Mr.  Schoolcraft 
gives  a  particular  account  of  it  in  Omota,  p.  85.  "  This 
game,"  ho  snys,  "  is  very  fascinating  to  some  portions  of  the 
Indians.  They  stake  at  it  their  ornaments,  weapons,  clothing, 
canoes,  horses,  evervthiiig  in  fact  they  possess  ;  and  have 
been  known,  it  is  said,  to  set  up  their  wives  and  children, 
and  even  to  forfeit  their  own  liberty.  Of  rtuch  desperate 
stakes  I  have  seen  no  examples,  nor  do  I  think  the  game  it- 
self in  common  use.  It  is  rather  confined  to  certain  persons, 
who  hold  the  relative  rank  of  gamblers  in  Indian  society,  — ' 
men  who  are  not  noted  as  hunters  or  warriors,  or  steady 
providers  for  their  families.  Among  these  are  persons  who 
bear  the  term  of  lenadizzn-ivug,  that  is,  wanderers  about  tlio 
country,  bmggadocios,  or  fops.  It  can  hardly  Ik;  classed 
with  tho  popular  games  of  amusement,  by  which  skill  and 
dexterity  are  acquired.  I  have  generally  found  the  chiefs 
and  graver  men  of  tho  tril)es,  who  encouraged  tho  young 
men  to  play  ball,  and  are  sure  to  bo  present  at  the  custom- 
ary sports,  to  witness,  and  sanction,  and  applaud  them, 
speak  lightly  and  disparagingly  of  this  game  of  'lazard. 
Yet  it  cannot  bo  denied  that  some  of  tho  chiefs,  distin- 
guished in  war  and  tho  ohase,  at  tho  West,  can  bo  referred 
to  as  lending  their  example  to  its  fascinating  power." 

See  also  his  History,  Conditions,  and  Prospects  of  the  Indian 
Tribes,  Part  II.  p.  72. 

Page  248      To  the  Pictured  Rocks  of  sandstone. 

Tho  reader  will  find  a  long  description  of  the  Pictured 
Rocks  in  Foster  and  Whitney's  Report  on  the  Geology  of  the 
Lake  Superior  Land  District,  Part  II.  p.  124.  From  this  I 
make  tho  following  extract :  — 

"  The  Pictured  Hocks  may  be  described,  in  general  terms, 
as  a  scries  of  sandstone  blulTs  extending  along  the  shore  of 
Lake  Superior  for  about  five  miles,  and  rising,  in  most 
places,  vertically  from  the  water,  without  any  beach  at  the 
base,  to  a  height  varying  from  fifty  to  nearly  two  hundred 


862 


NOTES 


feet.  WtTO  they  Hiinply  a  lirjo  of  cliffs,  thoy  might  not,  bo 
far  aH  ruhites  tu  huigiit  or  extent,  bo  worthy  of  a  rank 
ainonf;;  great  natural  eurioHitieH,  although  such  an  a«8ein> 
bhigu  of  rouky  btrata,  .vatthed  by  the  waveH  of  the  great  lake, 
would  not,  under  any  uircuniHtiinces,  Im;  deHtitutu  of  gran- 
deur. To  the  voyager,  ecaating  along  their  bane  in  hiti  frail 
Ciinoc,  they  would,  at  all  times,  bo  an  ubjeet  of  dread  ;  the 
reooil  of  the  Hurf,  the  rock-bound  coast,  atfording  for  miles 
no  ploco  of  refuge,  —  the  lowering  Hky,  the  rising  wind,  --  uU 
these  would  excite  his  apprehension,  and  induce  him  to  ply 
a  vigorous  oar  until  the  ilreaded  wall  was  passed.  But  in 
the  I'i'jtured  Rocks  there  arc  two  features  whiuh  comma- 
nicato  to  the  scenery  a  wonderful  and  almost  unique  ehar> 
ai'ter.  These  are,  first,  the  curious  manner  in  which  the 
elitfs  have  been  excavated  and  worn  away  by  the  action  of 
the  lake,  which,  for  centuries,  has  daslied  an  ocean-like  surf 
against  tlicir  base  ;  and,  second,  the  equally  curious  manner 
in  which  large  portions  of  the  surface  have  been  colored 
by  bands  of  brilliant  hues. 

"It  is  from  the  latter  circumstance  that  the  name,  by 
which  these  cliffs  are  known  to  the  American  traveller,  is 
derived  ;  while  that  applied  to  them  by  the  French  voya- 
geurs  (<  Les  Portails ')  is  derived  from  the  former,  and  by 
far  the  most  striking  peculiarity. 

"  The  term  Pictured  Rocks  has  been  in  use  for  a  great 
length  of  time  ;  but  when  it  was  first  applied,  we  have  been 
unable  to  discover.  It  would  seem  that  the  first  travellers 
were  more  impressed  with  the  novel  and  striking  distribu- 
tion of  colors  on  the  surface  than  with  the  astonishing 
variety  of  form  into  which  the  cliffs  themselves  have  been 
worn.  .  .  . 

"  Our  voyttgeurs  had  many  legends  to  relate  of  the  pranks 
of  the  Menni-bojoH  in  these  caverns,  and,  in  answer  to  our 
incjuiries,  seemed  disposed  to  fabricate  stories,  without  end, 
of  the  acliievenients  of  this  Indian  deity." 

Page  27G.     Toward  the  sun  his  hands  were  lifted. 

In  this  manner,  and  with  such  salutations,  was  Father 
^Inrcpiettc  received  by  the  Illinois.  Sde  his  Voyages  et  De- 
couvertes,  Section  V. 


NOTES 


86G 


t  not,  no 
a  rouk 

:eat  lake, 
of  gran- 
1  hiH  frail 
•cad  ;  tbo 
for  miles 
ind, --•  all 
lini  to  ply 
i.     But  in 
li  ooinmii- 
iqtio  char- 
whicli  the 
I  action  of 
,n-Uko  surf 
us  manner 
eu  colored 

(  name,  by 
traveller,  is 
■ench  voya- 
fier,  and  by 

for  a  great 

have  been 

it  travellers 

ig  distribu- 

astonishing 

have  been 

the  pranks 
swer  to  our 
kthout  end, 


^as  Father 
jages  et  De- 


III.    THE  COURTSHIP  OF  MILES  STANDISH. 


Aspinet,  Samnsft,  Corhitnntf  Stjuanto,  or  Toka- 
Indians   who   are   mentioned   in    the   early 


i'ugo  288. 
tnahamon. 

[Names    of 
chronitlcH.] 

Pago  280,     liariffi'st  Artillenj  dnUle. 

[The  elaborate  title  of  Standish's  military  book  was  : 
MilUarif  Discipline;  or  the  Young  Artillery  Mnn,  Wherein  m 
Disconrsed  and  Shntini  the  Postures,  both  of  Musket  and  Pike, 
the  exactest  way,  ^•r.,  Together  irith  the  Exercise  of  the  Foot 
in  their  Motions,  with  much  variety :  As  also,  diverse  an<l 
several  Forms  for  the  Imbattcling  small  or  great  Hodies  de- 
monstrated by  the  number  of  a  single  Company  with  their 
Keducements.  Very  necessary  for  all  such  as  are  Studious 
in  the  Art  Military.  Whereunto  is  also  added  the  Postures 
and  Beneflciall  Use  of  the  Ilalfe-Pike  joyued  with  the  Mus- 
ket. With  the  way  to  draw  up  the  Swedish  Brigade.  By 
Colonel  William  Barriffe.  Barriife  was  a  Puritan,  and  ad- 
ded to  his  title-page  :  "  Psalmes  144  :  1.  Blessed  bo  the 
Lord  my  Strength  which  teachoth  my  hands  to  warre  and 
my  Angers  to  fight."] 

Page  290.  Full  of  the  name  and  the  fame  of  the  Puritan 
maiden  Priscilla. 

[Among  the  names  of  the  Mayflower  company  are  those 
of  "  Mr.  William  MuUinos  and  his  wife,  and  2  children, 
Joseph  and  Priscila  ;  and  a  servant,  Robart  Carter."] 

I 'ago  293.     She  is  alone  in  the  world. 

["  Mr.  Molines,  and  his  wife,  his  sono  and  his  ser^'aut, 
dyed  the  first  winter.  Only  his  daughter  Priscila  survived 
and  married  with  John  Alden,  who  are  both  living  and  have 
11  children." — Bradford:  History  of  Plymouth  Plantation.^ 

Page  298.  Gathering  still,  as  he  went,  the  Mayflowers 
blooming  around  him. 

[The  Mayflower  is  the  well-known  Epigcea  repens,  some- 
times also  called  the  Trailing  Arbutus.  The  name  Mayflower 
was  familiar  in  England,  as  the  appu  ition  of  it  to  the  his- 
toric vessel  shows,  but  it  was  applied  hy  the  English,  and 


364 


NOTES 


still  is,  to  tho  hawthorn.  Its  use  here  in  connection  with 
epigma  rcpens  dates  from  a  very  early  day,  some  claiming 
that  the  first  Pilgrims  so  used  it,  in  affectionate  memory  of 
tho  vessel  and  its  English  flower  association.] 

Page  208.     Singing  the  hundredth  Psalm. 

[The  words  in  the  version  which  Pri.scilla  used  sound 
somewhat  rude  to  modern  ears,  but  the  music  is  sub- 
stantially what  we  know  as  Old  Hundred.  Ainsworth  be- 
came a  Brownist  in  litOO,  suffered  persecution,  and  found 
refuge  in  Holland,  where  he  published  learned  commentaries 
and  translations.     His  version  of  Psalm  c.  is  as  follows  :  — 

1.  Row  to  Jt'liovali,  all  thn  rartli. 

2.  Serve  yt;  .Ichnvah  witli  Riailiipsa  ;  l>efore  him  coino  with  ainning  mirth. 

3.  Know  that  Ji*hovali  he  (}(m1  ia.     It  'a  lie  that  iiuulu  lu  aud  uot  wo,  hia 

ttoc'll  aild  alieep  of  hia  (umliiiK. 

4.  Oh,  with  fonfKKHioii  enter  y«  hia  gaiea,  hia  coartyard  with  praiaiiiK. 

Confeaa  to  liiiii,  l>leBH  ye  hia  iiiime. 
C.  IkH-auHu  Jehovali  he  good  ia  ;  >iia  luurcy  ever  ia  the  aaiiie,  and  hia  faith 
unto  all  agea.] 

Page  299.  IVhile  with  her  foot  on  the  treadle  she  guided  the 
wheel  in  its  motion. 

[Mr.  Longfellow  received  a  number  of  letters  questioning 
his  description  of  Priscilla's  wheel,  upon  the  ground  that 
while  she  wtis  spinning  wool,  the  motions  and  apparatus 
were  applicable  only  to  flax.  He  examined  the  question 
carefully,  especially  with  the  aid  of  his  friend  Mr.  Charles 
Kolsom,  and  as  a  considerable  number  of  authorities  made 
it  appear  that  wool  wiis  spun  upon  the  small  treadle-wheel 
in  (iurmany  and  the  Low  Countries,  the  lines  were  suffered 
to  remain  as  they  stoo<l.  Mr.  Folsom  suggested  to  the  poet 
the  following  revision  :  — 

Piled  at  her  knee,  her  left  hand  feedini;  the  ravenous  iiplndle, 

Wliile  with  her  right  hand  alio  aped  and  atayed  the  wheel  in  its  motion.] 

Page  305.     Back  to  Hugh  Standiih  of  Duxhury  Hall. 

["  Tlicre  are  at  this  time  in  England  two  ancient  families 
of  the  name,  one  of  Standish  Hall,  and  the  other  of  Dux- 
bury  Park,  both  in  Lancashire,  who  trace  their  descent  from 
a  common  ancestor,  Ralph  do  Standish,  living  in  1221. 
There  scorns  always  to  have  boon  a  miliUiry  spirit  in  the 
family.     Froissart,  relating  in  his  Chronicles  the  memorable 


NOTES 


365 


3n  with 
laiming 
aiory  of 


i  sound 
is  8ub- 
orth  be- 
nd found 
nentaries 
lows  :  — 

iging  mirth, 
not  we,  hU 

ith  praising. 

uid  his  faith 

guided  the 

juestioning 
round  that 
[  apparatus 
le  tiuestion 
Charles 
rities  made 

adle-wheel 
re  suffered 

to  the  poet 


Ita  motion.l 

Hall 

snt  families 
er  of  I)u*- 
cacent  from 
^  in  1221. 
pirit  in  the 
memorable 


meeting  between  Richard  II.  and  Wat  Tyler,  says  that  after 
the  relK'l  was  struck  from  his  horse  by  William  Walworth, 
'  then  a  squycr  of  the  kyngcs  alyted,  called  iJohn  Stan- 
dysshc,  and  he  drewe  out  his  sworde,  and  put  into  Wat 
Tyler's  belye,  and  so  ho  dyed.'  For  this  act  Staudish  wsis 
knighted.  In  1415  another  Sir  John  Staudish  fought  at  the 
battle  of  Agincourt.  From  his  giving  tiic  name  of  Duxbiiry 
to  the  town  where  he  settled,  near  Plymouth,  and  calling 
his  eldest  sou  Alexander  (a  common  name  in  the  Staudish 
family),  I  have  no  doubt  that  Miles  was  a  scion  from  this 
ancient  and  warlike  stock."  —  Young's  Chronicles  of  the  Pil- 
grims, foot-note,  p.  125.] 

Page  312.     GtMi  has  si/ted  three  kingdoms  to  Jintl  the  wheat 
for  thit  planting. 

[In  Stoughtim's  Election  Sermon  of  1668  occurs  the  first 
use,  apparently,  of  this  oft-quoted  phrase:  "GikI  sifted  a 
whole  nation  that  he  might  send  a  choice  grain  over  into 
this  wilderness."] 

Page  313.  And  beside  it  outstretched  the  skin  of  a  rattle- 
snake glittered. 

[As  a  matter  of  hi.stor}',  the  first  recorded  instance  of  the 
rattlesnake  skin  challenge  was  in  January,  1622,  when  Tis- 
quantum  the  Indian  brought  a  defiance  from  Canonicus,  and 
the  governor  returned  the  skin  stuffed  with  bidlets.] 

Page  313.  Judging  it  wise  and  well  that  some  at  least  were 
converted. 

[The  poet  here  uses  the  sentiment  of  John  Robinson  when 
he  wrote  to  the  colonists  after  the  first  encounter  with  the 
Indians  :  "  Oh,  how  happy  a  thing  iiad  it  l)een,  if  yt)U  had 
converted  some  before  you  had  killed  anj'  !  "] 

Page  319.   With  Stephen  and  Richard  and  Gilbert. 

[These  names  are  not  taken  at  random.  Stephen  Hop- 
kins, Richard  Warren,  and  OillM'rt  Winslow  were  all  among 
the  Mayflower  passengers,  -md  were  alive  at  this  tinuv] 

Page  322. 
Rounded  the  point  of  the  Gurnet,  and  leaving  far  to  the  south- 
ward 
Island  and  cape  of  snnd,  and  the  Field  of  the  First  Fnrnuuter. 

[The  Gurnet,  or  Gurnet's  Nose,  is  a  headland  connecting 


866 


NOTES 


fit  'y',i 


I 


with  Marshfleld  by  a  beach  about  seven  miles  long.  On  its 
soutlicrn  extremity  arc  two  light-houses  which  light  the  en  • 
trance  to  Plymouth  Harbor.  *'  So  after  we  bad  given  God 
thanks  for  our  deliverance,  we  took  our  shallop  and  went  on 
our  journey,  and  called  the  place  The  First  £ncounter." 
Bradford  and  VViuslow's  Journal  in  Young's  Chronicles, 
p.  159.  The  place  on  the  Eastham  shore  was  the  spot  where 
the  Pilgrims  had  their  first  encounter  with  the  Indiant;,  De- 
cember 8,  1620.  A  party  under  Miles  Standish  was  ex- 
ploring the  country  while  the  Mayflower  was  at  anchor  iu 
Provincetown  Harbor.] 

Page  331.     After  a  three  days'  march. 

[Mr.  Longfellow  took  his  material  for  this  expedition  of 
Stnndish's  from  the  report  in  Winslow's  Relation  of  Slan- 
dLih's  Expedition  nyuinst  the  Indians  of  Weymouth  and  the 
breaking  up  of  Weston\<t  Colony  at  that  place,  in  March,  1G23, 
a.s  given  in  Dr.  Young's  Chronicles.^ 

Page  337.  Still  may  be  seen  to  this  day  some  trace  of  the 
well  and  the  orchard. 

[The  Alden  family  retain  John  AbLen's  homestead  in 
Duxbury,  and  the  present  house  is  said  to  stand  on  the  site 
of  the  one  originally  built  there.] 

Page  339.     You  are  the  beautiful  Bertha. 

[For  further  account  of  Bertha  the  Spinner,  see  the  vol- 
unn' of  this  edition  containing  Outre-Mer  and  Drift -Woofi, 
pp  L'77-'28L>.1 

Page  343.  After  the  Puritan  way,  and  the  laudable  custom 
of  Holland. 

["  May  12  was  the  flrst  marriage  in  this  place,  which,  ac- 
cording to  the  laudable  custome  of  the  Low-Cuntries,  ii. 
which  tlicy  had  lived,  was  tJiought  most  requisite  to  be  per- 
formed by  the  magistrate,  as  being  a  civill  thing,  upon 
which  many  questions  abouto  inheritances  doe  depende, 
with  other  things  most  proper  to  tlieir  cognizans,  and  most 
cousonantc  to  tlu;  scripturs,  Ruth  4,  and  no  wher  found  in 
the  gospcll  tu  be  layed  on  the  ministers  as  a  part  of  their 
oniee."  —  Bradforcl  :  History  of  Plymouth  Plantation,  p. 
lOl.J 


r.  On  its 
it  the  en- 
liven God 
id  went  on 
ncounter." 
Chronicles, 
spot  where 
dianr,  I)e- 
h  was  ex- 
anchor  in 


jedition  of 
I  of  Sfan- 
\th  and  the 
mh,  1023, 

race  of  the 

inostead  in 
un  the  site 


ice  the  vol- 

H-i/t-Wood, 

able  custom 


,  which,  ac- 
I!untries,  ic 
J  to  be  per- 
hing,  upon 
e  depende, 
i,  and  most 
er  found  in 
%Ti  of  their 
antation,    p. 


